Christmas fires keep firefighters busy

Christmas fires keep firefighters busy

YOUNGSTOWN — Firefighters responded to three fires on the South Side on Christmas Day, one caused by lighted decorations plugged into a porch light socket at 256 E. Philadelphia Ave.

The socket shorted out around 12:30 p.m. and fire spread behind the wall to the second floor, the fire department said. Damage was set at $1,500.

Flames were visible from the rear of a vacant house at 536 W. Evergreen Ave. when firefighters arrived at 6:20 a.m. Fire engulfed the first floor. Crew requested demolition. The cause is under investigation. Damage was set at $2,000, a total loss.

At 11:30 p.m., crews were sent to 3550 Tangent St. after a 911 caller reported hearing two explosions. Fire was intentionally started in a car hauling trailer parked in the driveway and spread to the vacant house, reports show. A strong odor of gasoline was detected near the trailer. Damage was set at $7,000, a total loss.