Austintown fire investigated as arson

AUSTINTOWN — A house fire that began as five family members slept early Monday is being investigated as arson.

The fire at the home of Thomas Opatken and his family at 138 N. Beverly Ave. started in the family’s car in the carport, said Andrew Frost, assistant fire chief. It spread to the house, where the structure and contents were a total loss, he said.

No one was injured.

The damage estimate was $76,000.

The fire department is investigating with assistance from township police, Frost said.

The fire department suspects an accelerant was used in the car, Frost said. The department took samples from inside the car and sent them to the state fire marshal’s office Thursday.

The test results should be back in several weeks, he said.

Frost said the family, including parents and three siblings, were sleeping when the fire began and never heard or saw anything suspicious. He said the department has people in mind to question, but he would not elaborate.

The family is staying with relatives now, he said.