Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
A fire that started in abandoned Lawrenceville row house damaged at least six homes this evening, as firefighters battled both flames and freezing cold.
The fire displaced five families, but police Sgt. James Vogel said crews believed no one was injured.
Jenny Skrinjar, president of Lawrenceville United, reported the fire at 6:23 p.m. when she saw flames coming from the house at 5328½ Dresden way.
Fire and smoke quickly spread to the neighboring houses, which have connecting walls and rooflines. Residents across the street worried about water damage as firefighters drenched the flames.
A man who lives next door to the house where the fire started said the building has been unoccupied for several months but that he has heard people coming and going through the back door of the boarded-up home.
He also described finding a pile of matches on the sidewalk outside while he was shoveling snow yesterday.
Skrinjar said neighbors have been concerned that people were going inside the building to do drugs.
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