House explosion, fire

House explosion, fire
WARREN -- Fire officials are still investigating an explosion and fire that left the home at 844 Mercer Avenue N.E. ruined. Firefighters said the explosion happened just after 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. They arrived at the home to find most of the inside walls blown away and a fire still burning. Damage is estimated at $50,000. The fire also damaged homes on both sides of the house, but firefighters didn't have an estimate on the damage to them.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Dominion East Ohio Gas investigators were also on the scene.
Fire department representatives said the house is a rental with no current occupants.
Facing weapons charge
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 13-year-old boy who took a BB gun to East Middle School was taken to the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center to face a charge of illegal conveyance of a weapon onto school property. The Kenneth Street boy told the principal that he found the gun Tuesday on his way to school.
Hearing rescheduled
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The preliminary hearing for homicide suspect Michael Roberts has been rescheduled for 1 p.m. next Thursday. Roberts was slated to have his hearing Wednesday in Lawrence County Central Court. He is accused in the March 2005 death of Daniel Palumbo. Roberts, 26, of Lathrop Street is being held without bond. Police contend Palumbo was beaten with a bar stool in his home during a robbery.
BB gun shooting
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- A Baker Avenue man was arrested on charges that he fired an air rifle at a woman and a child. Hermitage police said Dewayne Johnson, 34, is charged with two counts each of recklessly endangering and disorderly conduct. Police said he was firing a BB gun in his home at 8 a.m. Tuesday and a woman and child were hit by the BBs.
Victim of auction scam
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A 54-year-old New Castle woman was bilked out of $2,800 from an eBay scam. Pennsylvania State Police said the woman bid on a tractor on the online auction house, but did not win as her bid was $2,800 and the high bid was $4,250. A few days after the auction she received an e-mail alleging the high bidder backed out and was offered the tractor for $2,800. The seller instructed her to transfer the money via Western Union to the United Kingdom. She never received the tractor and reported the matter to police this week.
Theft-in-office charge
YOUNGSTOWN -- A seasonal city park employee made $425.43 worth of calls to a dating service on a city phone, police said. The amount does not include taxes. The employee knew that 99 cents per minute would be assessed by the dating service, reports show. The calls were made between April 7 and May 17 and billed through the Pemberton Park phone. Park Director Joe McCrae told police that the employee has denied the charges. A secretary, though, listened to an audiotape of some calls and identified the suspect by his voice. If the employee is found guilty of theft in office he could never hold public employment again and would face six to 12 months in prison, City Prosecutor Jay Macejko said.
Vandalism at Fitch
AUSTINTOWN -- Fitch High School Principal Doug McGlynn filed a police report Tuesday, citing vandalism that occurred at the school between Monday and Tuesday. He said that someone had damaged 30 door locks by applying a liquid solvent to them.
Re-enactment event
SHARPSVILLE, Pa. -- The Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment -- a Civil War re-enactment group -- will stage a reconnaissance-in-fort Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Raisch Log Cabin on the Shenango River. The event is free. For directions to the Raisch Log Cabin, call the Mercer County Historical Society at (724) 662-3490.