City firefighters douse blazes Thursday, Friday

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

City firefighters were kept busy with two blazes, an accidental fire Thursday evening and an intentionally set fire early Friday morning, the fire department said.

At 7:30 p.m., they were called to 2640 Eddie St., where they said an 11-year-old girl used a lighter to look under a bed for a phone, accidentally ignited the bedding and ran to a neighbor’s house.

The 11-year-old, a 13-year-old and a 5-year-old were at the West Side home, while their mother was at work. The fire was confined to the room, and there were no injuries. Damage was estimated at $2,800.

The other blaze was at 1:20 a.m. at 174 E. Judson Ave., where firefighters found nobody home, but encountered a strong gasoline odor. Painting supplies were on a table, making it appear someone had been working there. Furniture, two electric heaters and two plugged-in TVs were in the front room. Damage was estimated at $6,000 to the South Side house and $1,000 to its contents.

After a passerby reported the blaze, firefighters searched the home, thinking a rescue might be necessary because the house was locked, lights were on and a car was parked in its driveway, all indicators of likely occupancy.