Suspicious abandoned house fire in California threatens CalU student apartments

CALIFORNIA, Pa. — Firefighters in California said a suspicious abandoned house fire put California University of Pennsylvania students living in nearby apartments at risk.

Investigators said the blaze happened at a home near 2^nd Avenue and Ash Street.

Witnesses said the fire sent flames shooting into the air.

The fire chief said the blaze was so intense that it damaged nearby student apartments and forced evacuations.

"It burned the siding off of both of them. We contained the fire to the initial structure and we evacuated students from both of the dorms," chief Tom Hartley said.

The students were permitted back into their apartments a short time later.

The fire remains under investigation.

WPXI