Allegheny County

Investigators say fire that destroyed Penn Hills apartment was set intentionally

PENN HILLS, Pa. — It’s been several days a fire destroyed the homes of eight families in a Penn Hills apartment building.

Around 6:15 p.m. Monday, firefighters were called to the Valmar Gardens complex on Robinson Boulevard. When they arrived, witnesses said they saw a man running from the area where the fire began.

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Investigators have been looking into the case ever since, and on Thursday they announced that the fire was set intentionally.

Unfortunately, the fire marshal said witnesses could not get a good description of the man.

Right now, the American Red Cross is helping the eight affected families with temporary housing.

According to the fire marshal, Penn Hills officials tried to have the apartment condemned two years ago, but a court injunction stopped it.

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