Marijuana discovered in burning house

YOUNGSTOWN -- Marijuana was confiscated from the kitchen of a burning house at 144 S. Forest Ave., and three men who had been in the house refused to identify themselves to firefighters, said fire Lt. Kevin Johnson.
Johnson said the fire started at 3:07 a.m. Monday, likely from a second-floor bedroom space heater, and did $15,000 damage. No injuries were reported.
He said the unidentified men who came out of the house when firefighters answered the call left before police arrived. The marijuana was turned over to police.
Different owners
The fire department must sort out records that show two owners for the property, said Capt. Alvin Ware.
Earlier, at 2:20 a.m. Monday, fire started in a second-floor bathroom at 212 E. Florida Ave. and spread to the attic of the vacant house, Johnson said. Loss was estimated at $7,500 and the cause is under investigation.
At 6:31 p.m. Sunday, firefighters responded to 3024 Regis St., another vacant house, Johnson said. The house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived so the fire's origin was unknown, he said. Damage was set at $3,000, a total loss.
Fire also was reported at 3:48 p.m. Sunday at an unoccupied house at 1220 Augustine St. Johnson said the house was fully engulfed in flames and allowed to burn down.
Damage was estimated at $15,000. The property has been the site of previous fires, Johnson said.