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McKeesport police arrest 2 juveniles for Tuesday arson
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Police this week arrested two juveniles they said admitted torching a vacant McKeesport house, but the city is looking for help in solving six other arsons in abandoned buildings since April.
On Tuesday, 16- and 17-year-olds from North Versailles lit a pizza box on fire at 504 Lime St. and then ran away, police said. When firefighters arrived at 5:35 p.m., the house was on fire.
The pair confessed, police said, and are being prosecuted through juvenile court.
The most recent fire was Thursday night, when someone torched 2500 Stewart St.
Neighbors reported seeing juveniles around the house during the day.
McKeesport police, along with Allegheny County police and the fire marshal's office, are investigating six other vacant structure fires in various locations around the city.
Police said they believe juveniles are setting the blazes and have increased patrols to try to catch them. The city also is asking the public to call 911 to report juveniles entering vacant houses and to contact the police department at crimeprevention@mckpd.us to report suspicious activity.
In addition, the city has started a program to board up vacant houses, clear weeds around them and start tearing them down.
First Published June 15, 2012 3:41 pm
