Propane blaze damages house on South Side

YOUNGSTOWN — The cause of a fire at 2711 Utilis Ave. on the South Side that started in second floor bedroom is under investigation, the fire department said. The two occupants were already out when firefighters arrived around 2 p.m. Thursday. The gas had been shut off and the residents were using propane heaters. One of the occupants told firefighters that he was using a large propane tank to fill a smaller tank when the fire started but was unsure of the ignition source, reports show. The Red Cross was called in to help the displaced occupants. Damage was set at $13,000 to the house and contents.