Firefighters put out fire, say it was arson

staff report

AUSTINTOWN — Firefighters extinguished an apparent arson Monday afternoon at a vacant duplex at 245 Third St.

The duplex has been vacant since an accidental fire in February 2006, and no injuries resulted from the fire, said Andy Frost III, assistant fire chief.

The fire, which was reported at 1:44 p.m., appeared to have started on the outside of the building, near the front doors and caused about $5,000 damage to the exterior and a small amount of interior wall, Frost said.

Frost said arson is suspected because there is no other explanation for the fire starting in that location. “It had to be a set fire,” he said.

Samples from the scene are being sent to the Ohio Fire Marshal’s office for analysis, he said, as the investigation continues.

The duplex belongs to Steven Patrick of Canfield, who told fire officials he plans to refurbish the duplex and rent it again.