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WILKES-BARRE — Firefighters worked diligently Saturday to put out a blaze at a vacant home on East Northampton Street.
The fire occurred only blocks from where multiple arsons have occurred since August, but there was no official determination yet on a cause.
The city fire inspector will be investigating, and more information is expected to be released over the next few days, officials said.
Wilkes-Barre assistant fire chief Damian Lendacky said smoke could be seen coming from the rear of a residence at 213 East Northampton when crews responded to the call about 4:35 p.m.
Lendacky said the house is reportedly “frequented by homeless” individuals, but no one was inside at the time of Saturday’s fire and there was not a lot of damage.
Northampton in the area of Park Avenue and Welles Street was blocked off to traffic for at least an hour.
A woman who asked to be identified by her middle name only, Lavan, lives on the street and was walking when she saw smoke coming from inside the residence. She said she is related to the home’s owner, who was not aware of the fire. Lavan immediately notified him after learning of the incident.
She also said the owner was planning on potentially renovating the house.
The address is only blocks from intentionally set fires in recent months on South Fulton and South Sherman streets.
The same South Fulton home damaged in a September fire was the scene of another blaze in early December.
Check back at www.timesleader.com for updates.