SHARON – Local firefighters have had to cope with three suspicious fires in vacant houses in the past week. The most recent was at 1:24 a.m. Tuesday at 419 Columbia Street.
Sharon fire Chief Bob Fiscus said the fire started in an addition at the rear of the 2 1/2-story house and was contained there by firefighters from Sharon and Farrell. The house, which has no utility service, has been vacant for the last couple of years and had no furnishings, he said.
Firefighters limited fire and water damage to the addition but the rest of the house was heavily damaged by smoke. A state fire marshal was at the scene but did not immediately rule whether the fire was arson. Firefighters cleared the scene at 2:30 a.m.
Just before midnight on May 24, fire damaged the vacant house at 494 Harley Way. Fiscus said he had to call for more help to protect occupied houses on either side. Firefighters from Brookfield and Hermitage responded and other firefighters were put on standby in Sharpsville and West Middlesex.
Heat from the fire ignited the roof at 500 Harley Way but firefighters put it out quickly. Heat also melted vinyl siding at 506 Harley Way. Residents of both those houses were able to return to their homes, Fiscus said.
At 3:23 a.m. Saturday, a suspicious fire gutted the house at 690 Prindle Street.
No injuries were reported in any of the fires but Fiscus said he’s worried about harm to firefighters or residents. Of the 24 fires in Sharon so far this year, nine have been arsons or suspected arsons of vacant houses.
“At some point, it’s not a question of if but when someone will get hurt,” Fiscus said. The damage to two occupied houses on Harley Way on either side of the house that caught fire “is an example of just how dangerous these fires are,” he added.
Fiscus called on residents to be vigilant to prevent harm to responders or residents.
“We need neighbors to keep an eye on vacant houses,” he said. “If you see something that doesn’t look right, call 911 immediately.”
Fiscus said quick response by neighboring departments is an example of the commitment of all local departments to support each other through their mutual aid agreement. He also commended Sharon firefighters for their response to the cluster of suspicious fires.
“My guys are beat up and a little bruised and sore but they still show up for work every day and they do a heck of a job.”
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