The York Dispatch
YORK, Pa. — Authorities have ruled the three-alarm fire that damaged four row houses and sent two firefighters to the hospital was arson.
York City Deputy Fire Chief Chad Deardorff said credible witness statements have indicated the fire started behind 330 E. Poplar St. on cement.
“There’s absolutely nothing in that area that other than it being set that would cause that fire to start,” he said Thursday morning.
It appears the fire spread to a wooden fence, and then the flames from that lit a second-floor wooden porch ablaze, he said.
And it spread quickly from there; firefighters arriving on the scene shortly after 5:30 p.m. found heavy flames coming from the back of the row houses.
The two firefighters hurt were treated at York Hospital for minor burns and were released later that night, according to the department.
Shortly after three firefighters entered one house, two called a mayday because they were trapped on the second floor. Deardorff said firefighters call a mayday when they’re in trouble and need help; it immediately triggers another alarm, bringing in more units and manpower.
The Red Cross is assisting 21 people displaced from their homes, according to a news release from the organization.
The fire caused about $300,000 in damage to four three-story properties: 324, 326, 328 and 330 E. Poplar St., Deardorff said. He said the authorities had deemed 328 and 330 to be total losses. The other two were in a bit better shape, though — he said once the landlord gets the power turned back on in 324, the bottom two floors will be livable.
York City Police continue to investigate the incident, with help from a state police fire marshal. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 846-1234.
Copyright 2015 The York Dispatch
All Rights Reserved