Early morning fires claim two homes

YOUNGSTOWN — Two vacant homes were a total loss after fires early today.

Crews arrived at an 821 Norwood Ave. home about 4:10 a.m. and found a heavy fire shooting out of the sides of the home and a heavily secured side door. The front door was not secured, reports said. Inside the floor had several holes burned into it, reports said.

The cause is listed as arson and the damage estimate is $4,200. No one was injured.

Earlier, a 212 Lincoln Park Drive home was also a total loss, reports said. Crews arriving on the scene found heavy flames coming from the attic and a search revealed no one inside but a video game system was found, reports said.

Ladder trucks were used to put the fire out and nearby homes had to be protected, reports said.

The cause is under investigation. Damage is estimated at $9,800. One firefighter was slightly injured but remained on duty, reports said.