Abandoned house fire in Duquesne being investigated as suspicious

DUQUESNE, Pa. (KDKA) -- Neighbors in Duquesne are growing concerned about fires in their community, as a Saturday fire at a home that has burned multiple times is being investigated as suspicious.

Multiple neighbors told KDKA-TV they are concerned about a potential serial arsonist who could be in their neighborhood.

The home on Catherine Street was torn down shortly after the fire on Saturday. The vacant home last burned in 2020.

Within a block are two more homes that have burned.

A neighbor who goes by Alan, who lives next to the demolished home, said he believes arsonists are responsible for the burning of his cousin's and two of his neighbors' homes.

"I feel so sorry for him, man. That's something he will regret for the rest of his life. What goes around comes around, and you reap what you sow," Alan said.

Both he and another neighbor, Ann-Marie, said there are too many vacant homes in their community that should be torn down.

"I'm not sure Duquesne has the money; I'm not sure how much federal aid they got, I just know that there should be a lot of houses knocked down," she said.

KDKA-TV reached out to the local fire chief for more information about the fire, and others in the community, and have not yet heard back.