Fire destroys home; probe seeks cause

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Firefighters are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a two-story house on the city's south side.
The American Red Cross is assisting a family of four, including two children, after fire gutted the first floor and damaged the second floor, firefighters said. The children's ages weren't available.
Firefighters were called around 10:45 a.m. to the home of Richard Axe at 221 E. Madison Ave. in the city's Mahoningtown section and were there about two hours.
No injuries were reported, but a cat perished in the fire. The family had four cats and two dogs, and one cat is still missing, firefighters said.
No one was at home when the fire began, but the department received several calls from neighbors, and a motorist driving on U.S. Route 422 saw the fire and called from a cell phone.
Firefighters believe the fire started in the living room, and wood paneling throughout the downstairs fueled the fire. No loss estimate was available, but the family has insurance, firefighters said.