Suspicious blaze displaces 11 people

There was another suspicious fire earlier that night.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Eleven people were displaced from the Allied Community Living Center on Jefferson Street by a suspicious fire.
New Castle Fire Chief Jeff Scrim said all of the residents got out safely when the blaze started at 11:30 p.m. Monday on the back section of the building at 1303 S. Jefferson St.
The Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal was called to investigate.
Scrim estimated about $100,000 worth of damage to the eight apartments. Two of the apartments had serious fire damage and the rest had smoke and water damage.
Scrim said firefighters were called back about 5 a.m. when the fire rekindled.
The residents were taken to the Scottish Rite Cathedral for the night and later taken to a makeshift shelter at the Union Area High School, said Brian Melcer, county 911 and emergency management director.
The American Red Cross and Lawrence County Social Services were working to find temporary housing for all of the residents Tuesday, said Debbie Hennon of Lawrence County Social Services.
Those affected
Most of the residents were elderly and either physically or mentally disabled, she said. Some were placed with family members and others were put in group housing, said Melcer.
Melcer said some of the residents were able to go back to their apartments Tuesday to retrieve medication and other items, but it's unclear when they will be able to return to live in their apartments.
Scrim said this was the second suspicious fire his department responded to Monday. He said there was a blaze at a vacant home, 609 Superior St., about 10 p.m.
Firefighters were called back at 5 a.m. Tuesday when they believe the fire was intentionally reset, Scrim said. He said the blaze then rekindled at 7 a.m.
Scrim said there had been a fire about a year ago at the same Superior Street house.
cioffi@vindy.com