House, garage fire

House, garage fire
CAMPBELL -- A fire early Monday, caused by an electrical short in a side-by-side refrigerator-freezer in an attached garage, caused an estimated $20,000 damage to the garage and the house. The owner-occupants, Michael and Susan Reichert, of 54 Creed Circle, escaped the 4 a.m. fire without injury. The blaze caused fire and heat damage to the garage and a vehicle inside it, as well as the breezeway connecting the garage and the ranch-style house. Flames also traveled through the breezeway to the attic of the Reichert home. There was smoke damage throughout both structures, firefighters said.
Failed arson attempt
YOUNGSTOWN -- A Molotov cocktail hurled into a house at 1630 Park Vista Drive failed to ignite because the rag wick in the gasoline bottle got stuck in the screen, the fire department said. Two more firebombs were found below windows. The occupant told firefighters that the arson attempt likely happened Saturday night or Sunday morning. No damage was reported. On Saturday night, firefighters responded to two vacant house fires on the South Side. Fire was intentionally set in a second-floor bedroom at 539 Lee Ave. around 8 p.m. and spread to the attic and through the floor to the kitchen. Loss was listed as $7,000. The cause of a fire at 316 W. Chalmers Ave. is under investigation. The structure was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived around 10:10 p.m. Loss is listed as $10,000.
Pa. Turnpike stoppages
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- All traffic on the Pennsylvania Turnpike will be stopped periodically from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today for the removal of steel girders at an overhead bridge carrying Huston Road in Little Beaver Township, Lawrence County. None of the stoppages should exceed 15 minutes in duration. The overhead bridge is at milepost 4.33, about three miles east of the Gateway mainline toll facility at the western end of the Pennsylvania Turnpike system near the Ohio line. Huston Road was closed at its turnpike crossing point Jan. 9 and will remain closed until mid-November. The current steel girder span will be replaced with a concrete box beam structure.
Taking flu precautions
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Jameson Hospital is requesting the public limit visitation to the hospital because of the flu virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified widespread flu activity in Pennsylvania. Those who must visit are asked to inform the nursing staff, and efforts will be made to accommodate them. This limitation of visitors extends to all areas of care, including the emergency department and surgical areas. To prevent the spread of the flu, the CDC recommends you cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, wash your hands often, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, stay home when you are sick and check with a health-care provider when needed and practice good health habits.
Mother, baby escape fire
BOARDMAN -- A fire caused $25,000 damage to a home at 1991 Cover Drive. Anita Hickle, 22, and her daughter, Cameron, 15 months, escaped the blaze Monday at 5:50 a.m. after a smoke detector awakened Hickle, officials said. The Boardman and Poland fire departments responded. The fire was contained to the laundry room and quickly extinguished. The house sustained moderate smoke damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but a problem with the hot water tank is suspected, the bureau said.