Teen in custody after suspicious fires were reported on multiple streets in Kittanning

KITTANNING, Pa. — Several fires were reported within a small area in Kittanning Monday morning, and officials say they were intentionally set.

The fires around 7 a.m. were within a three-block radius and are considered to be suspicious, so the fire marshal and police are investigating.

Crews responding to multiple fires in the neighborhood. All within a 2-3 block radius. Considered suspicious. Fires at 3 vacant homes. 1 house people live there. Working to get info. @WPXI pic.twitter.com/3jPk9Zhj2S
— Mike Holden (@WPXIMikeHolden) July 5, 2021

Investigators say the person who did this put several people in immediate danger. According to the Kittanning Police Department, one person is in custody.

Press Release on arsons which occurred July 5, 2021 The Kittanning Police Department would like to reach out to all the...
Posted by Kittanning Borough Police on Monday, July 5, 2021

Four total structures were involved. No injuries were reported.

A duplex in the 500 block of Hawthorne Avenue sustained no interior damage. That home was vacant.
A rear garage apartment in the 600 block of Hawthorne Avenue was extensively damaged and was occupied by a woman who was able to get out of the building uninjured, but four of her cats died in the fire.
A home in the 500 block of Woodward Avenue sustained minor structural damage to the front of the house. That structure was under renovation and no one lived there. A garage apartment of the home was also severely damaged.

Firefighters haven’t said how the fires were started.