Published: August 20, 2008 10:24 pm      

Northern Cambria arson investigated

NORTHERN CAMBRIA — Northern Cambria Borough police are investigating a late Tuesday night blaze that was started with a Molotov cocktail – a homemade bomb.

Trooper Joe Huber, a state police fire marshal, has ruled the cause of the fire as arson.

Volunteers from Spangler, Hope and Nicktown fire departments were called to the 3500 block of Crawford Avenue shortly after 10 p.m.

Spangler fire Chief Mickey Lutch said the fire was confined to the front porch and first level of the structure, which has been used as a duplex rental home.

Lutch said the home’s owners, an elderly woman and her daughter, who is the woman’s caretaker, lived in the basement area and were at home when the fire started. The first and second-floor apartments have been vacant for years, Lutch said.

“(The owners) were outside when firefighters arrived on scene,” Lutch added. “It was a quick knock-down.”

Huber said he found a lid from the small bomb at the scene.

“It appeared to be some sort of glass jar, with some kind of fuel and a hole in the lid with a rag or wick in it,” Huber explained. “Someone lit it and threw it, and upon impact, it spreads everywhere, making the fire spread.”

Lutch said the home’s owners were able to return to the residence, and estimated damage to be about $8,000. He did not know if the home was insured.

Anyone with information about the incident may call police: 948-4884.