Turkey Run fire ruled arson; second in week

KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Flames envelope the rear of the first floor of a vacant home at 301 Furnace Street in Turkey Run on March 7, 2023, as firefighter Russ Schumack pulls equipment off a Rescue Hook and Ladder aerial truck.

TURKEY RUN – Two vacant homes burn in a week in town, and both have been ruled arson, the Shenandoah Fire Department said Tuesday afternoon.

State Police Fire Marshal Joseph Hall was on site at 301 Furnace Street to investigate the cause of Tuesday’s early morning blaze.

Shenandoah Fire Chief Rick Examitas said Hall ruled the fire as arson, starting in the first floor of 301 Furnace Street, one half of a duplex.

Examitas said anyone with information should contact State Police at Frackville at 570-874-5300 or Schuylkill County Communications at 570-462-1991.

The home was vacant and is the second vacant home in town to be set aflame in a week. Thursday morning, a home in the unit block of South Grant Street burned in a fire ruled arson.

Examitas asks the public to report any suspicious activity or squatters in vacant homes to local police.

According to the Schuylkill County Parcel Locator, 301 Furnace Street is owned by Pablo Mosquea-Santos, 2817 Jeannette Street, Union City, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from Manhattan. He purchased the property in July of 2022.

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