Published: May 29, 2008 11:21 pm      

Authorities: Confluence fire suspicious

CONFLUENCE — A state police fire marshal is investigating a suspicious blaze that destroyed a house in this southern Somerset County borough early Thursday while the homeowners were on vacation.

Confluence fire Chief Tom Close Sr. said the cause remains uncertain.

“It’s suspicious in origin,” said Close, adding that the front of the home was engulfed in flames when he was the first volunteer to arrive at the scene shortly before 2 a.m. “The people were away for the day.”

The two-story house at 829 Williams St. is owned by Harold “Bud” Augustine, an over-the-road truck driver, and his wife, Close said. He said the Augustines had left for vacation Wednesday.

Damage is estimated at $150,000. Close said the Augustines have insurance on the home, where they have lived for about a decade.

“It’s an old house, but it had been remodeled,” the chief said.

The Augustines have a daughter who also lives in Confluence. It could not immediately be determined where they were staying Thursday.

Close said a line from a main water tank broke in a landslide two weeks ago, forcing volunteers from six companies to shuttle water from four blocks away.

No injuries were reported.

Confluence was assisted by firefighters from Addison, New Centerville, Rockwood and Markleysburg and Farmington in neighboring Fayette County.