Arson link sought in Natrona
Investigators are checking to see if last week's apparent arson along Chestnut Street is linked to previous arsons in the community.
Natrona has been the site of about 10 fires since 2004.
Five were classified as arson. Two others are classified as suspicious.
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal's is investigating the Sept. 11 fire that burned five buildings along Chestnut and Pond streets and forced the township's tax office to move from 49 Chestnut St.
The tax office and one apartment were the only portions of the five buildings that had tenants.
The fire is considered an arson because the other buildings had no working utilities, which rules out electrical malfunction.
The question is: was this most recent arson connected to other intentionally-set fires in Natrona in recent years?
"This was definitely arson, but it's too early to say if it was somehow connected to a previous fire," said Don Brucker, Allegheny County's chief deputy fire marshal. "Over the years there have been about a dozen arsons in Natrona."
The Sept. 11 blaze started in a vacant, unlocked apartment in a one-time post office building.
The same building, which was built in 1911, was the site of an intentionally set fire about two years ago. It was on a list of buildings in the neighborhood to be demolished.
Several youths, then age 16, were charged with starting that fire, Brucker said.
In 2005, Bruce Karadeema, then 25, of Harrison, pleaded guilty to arson and other charges for setting three buildings along Spruce Street on fire in the spring of 2004.
He was sentenced to two to four years in prison, seven years of probation and ordered to pay $500 in restitution to the buildings' owner.
Additional Information:
Fire moves tax office
Harrison Township Tax Collector Michael McKechnie has relocated to a temporary office in the rear of 65 Walnut St., Natrona.
McKechnie's former Natrona office was destroyed by fire last Thursday.
McKechnie said most of the contents, including tax records, appear largely unscathed by the flames, although there was some water damage.
The Walnut Street office will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. The phone number will remain 724-224-6055. Mail still can be sent to the former address at 49 Chestnut St.
McKechnie said the Walnut Street location will be a temporary move until a new office is determined. He hopes to have permanent office established by November.
Additional Information:
Authorities seek tips
Anyone with information about the fires that destroyed several buildings on Chestnut and Pond streets last week is asked to call the Allegheny County Fire Marshal's anonymous tip line at 412-473-2776 or Harrison Police at 724-224-3355.
