Local

New Castle fire chief believes city may have arsonist with 20 fires set in past year

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — New Castle Fire Chief Thomas Maciarello said a fire in a vacant New Castle home Friday morning is setting off a bigger issue – he believes the city has an arsonist.

Firefighters were called to the home on South Cascade Street in New Castle around 2:30 a.m. when neighbors witnessed heavy smoke and massive flames.

Crews worked for several hours before they got the flames under control. No injuries were reported.

Neighbors told Channel 11 News that nobody has lived in the house for a while, and that it was up for sale.

Maciarello said the blaze is suspicious, and neighbors told him they heard loud noises down the street after the fire broke out. However, no one saw anyone in the area.

According to Maciarello, the number of fires is becoming a problem with this one being the 20th arson fire in the city of New Castle in a year. Every fire scene has the same M.O.

Maciarello is asking neighbors to keep an eye on each other’s property and to report any suspicious behavior.

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