Arson Fire Damages Vacant Pennsylvania Academy

A stubborn Friday morning fire in the heart of New Kensington's downtown area was ruled ruled an arson. Police said the damage is estimated at $25,000. The blaze, first reported just after 11 p.m. Thursday in the vacant Pittsburgh Beauty Academy building at 856 Fifth Ave., spread to at least one other adjoining building by midnight. Dozens of firefighters from New Kensington and surrounding areas were battling the blaze into the early hours of Friday morning. Freezing temperatures, snow flurries and ice buildup from firefighting efforts made bringing the blaze under control even more difficult, said Assistant New Kensington Fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. Both buildings were vacant. Firefighters do not yet have any information on how the blaze was set. Related Links:More Westmoreland County News Get RSS | E-Mail Alerts