Youths suspected in vacant apartment building fire

Youths suspected in vacant apartment building fire

YOUNGSTOWN — Firefighters responded to an arson at a vacant six-plex apartment building today. When they arrived at Erie Street and Judson Avenue on the city’s South Side this afternoon, a group of five or more youths were blocking the fire truck with their arms extended out from their sides.

The youths ran off when firefighters called for police, said Battalion Chief Robert Hian, adding the youths are suspected in the arson. The blaze started in one of the apartments on the ground floor and spread to the second floor and a neighboring apartment. No injuries were reported. “It’s been vacant for a long time,” the battalion chief said.