Two Youngstown homes were torched, fire department finds

YOUNGSTOWN — Two houses were deliberately set on fire late Monday and early today, the fire department said. At 527 Sherwood Ave. on the South Side, firefighters found heavy smoke showing and fire in the basement around 12:40 a.m. today. The owner was to call his insurance company to board up the place. Three residents were evicted about an hour before the fire, reports show. Damage was set at $7,000 to the property and contents. At 372 Emerson Place on the North Side, fire extended from the first to the second floor of the vacant house at 10:50 p.m. Monday. Damage was set at $10,000, a total loss.