Fires at 2 vacant houses labeled suspicious

staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Fire Department is calling suspicious a fire at two vacant houses on the East Side.

The two properties and a garage burned down at 122 and 124 N. Forest Ave., after the department was unsuccessful in putting out the blaze Friday evening.

Capt. Richard Russo said the fire continued on even after calling an additional ladder and pump to fight it.

Fire crews responded to the fire at 6:02 p.m. and left about three hours later, when the fire had died down enough to squelch the remaining flames. The blaze is under investigation.