Deaths are ‘highly suspicious’

Associated Press

MARION CENTER, Pa.

Authorities in western Pennsylvania are investigating what they are calling the suspicious deaths of three people whose bodies were found after fires in two mobile homes.

State police in Indiana County said the deaths early Saturday “all appear highly suspicious,” but they released no other details.

Indiana County District Attorney Pat Dougherty said the deaths are tied to two fires reported about an hour apart at homes separated by roughly 10 miles.

He told the Indiana Gazette that a suspect was taken into custody at one of the locations.

Dougherty said the first fire was reported shortly before 7 p.m. in a South Mahoning Township mobile home, and two victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Plumville fire chief Joe Brendle said the blaze was quickly extinguished. But Marion Center Chief Rich Lydic said his department was fighting the first fire when firefighters were called to the second blaze, which also was in a mobile home.

Dougherty said the second fire was reported just after 8 p.m. at an East Mahoning Township home. The third victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

State police, in conjunction with the district attorney and county coroner, worked through the night to piece together the sequence of events.

Police and prosecutors have scheduled a news conference Monday morning on the deaths.