Another fire erupts in Mocanaqua, called 'suspicious'

CONYNGHAM TWP. - A fire broke out today in the Mocanaqua section of the township - the fourth fire in the Shickshinny area in eight days - and is being called suspicious.

Firefighters were dispatched at 2:44 p.m. to a structure fire at 15-17 Railroad St. that Mocanaqua Fire Chief Stephen McDaniels said was called in by a next-door neighbor.

McDaniels said smoke was billowing from the rear of the the vacant, flood-damaged double-block home, which actually contains three apartments.

Firefighters were on-scene within a minute or two, McDaniels said, noting that the structure is one street over and a few hundred yards from the fire station.

He said the fire, which appears to have started in the wall between the basement and first floor, was knocked down quickly.

McDaniels said the fire is suspicious, given that the home was vacant and no utilities were connected.

State police Fire Marshal Carrie Dodson was on-scene investigating.

 

Two arsons in neighboring Shickshinny last Tuesday and a fire in Mocanaqua on Monday - a month after another arson occurred at neighboring row homes - have residents on edge and officials advising them to be vigilant.

State police Fire Marshal Ron Jarocha had said that a structure fire at 194 Susquehanna Ave., Shickshinny, and a vehicle fire in front of 151 Canal St., Shickshinny, both were intentionally set early Tuesday morning.

Jarocha also determined that a fire at 3 Main St. in Mocanaqua last Monday afternoon was intentionally set.

McDaniels is frustrated and he and officials in both municipalities are asking that residents be vigilant and immediately report anything suspicious to police by calling 911.