Allegheny Co. fire marshal investigating fire at vacant Penn Hills home

PENN HILLS, Pa. — Firefighters battled a blaze at a Penn Hills home early Thursday morning.

Investigators said the fire began at a rental home on Fifth Street just before 4 a.m.

The owner of the home said she had just returned from vacation when she learned about the fire at her property.

Firefighters said no one was living at the home and they were able to get the blaze under control quickly.

Officials said investigators are questioning several neighbors about what they saw early Thursday morning.

“They asked me if I saw anyone suspicious walking around. I didn’t,” neighbor Ed Meising said. “You see something like this happen and it really makes you think.”

Authorities said Thursday’s blaze was the second fire in less than a month in a small area.

“If there is somebody doing it, then they don’t know if people are living in them. It was two vacant houses. That’s a little suspicious and way too close for comfort,” Meising said.

The Allegheny County fire marshal’s investigation continues.

WPXI