Pa. arson fire leaves child in critical condition

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — One child is in critical condition and six other people had to be transported to a hospital after suffering from smoke inhalation in an early-morning arson in Allentown.

Allentown Fire Capt. Lee Laubach says the fire started shortly before 4 a.m. today. Firefighters had to force their way into a second-floor apartment to rescue two children and two adults.

Heavy smoke disoriented the family and forced a 5-year-old girl to be admitted to a hospital. She is listed in critical but stable condition.

Investigators say three other people escaped from a first-floor apartment on their own.

Fire officials say the fire appears to have been deliberately set on the back porch.