'Suspicious' blaze levels vacant house in Sharon

Oct. 21--SHARON -- A suspicious fire practically leveled a vacant house in less than an hour Tuesday afternoon at 719 New Castle Ave., Sharon.

No one was hurt in the fire that started around 1:15 p.m.

Fire Chief Bob Fiscus decided was not worth risking the safety of firefighters.

"We let it burn," Fiscus said. "We just protected the power lines.

"We took a strategic approach to minimize the danger," Fiscus said.

Fiscus said since firefighters didn't go inside, they can't be sure of the cause or origin of the blaze, but did say there were no utilities going to the vacant house.

"It is certainly suspicious," Fiscus said.

The fire was fully involved when Sharon firefighters, assisted by Farrell Fire Department and Sharon police, arrived.

A large crowd formed to watch the flames and smoke that could be seen and smelled all around Sharon and Farrell.

The house is owned by Melvin Jordan, who had given the fire department permission to use the deteriorating structure for countywide firefighter training that had yet to be scheduled. It is unknown if there was insurance on the building.

Fiscus said Jordan could be responsible for clearing what's left of the house.

Homeowners across the street, Mae Rossi and Kathleen Rio, reminisced about the decaying neighborhood and questioned whether it's worth it to stay there.

"None of us want to leave here because we have so many fond memories," Rio said.

Rio's grandmother bought the home in the late 1920s and Rio has lived there for 25 years. Rossi has lived in her house for 70 years.

Both women sang the praises of HomeTown Community Rentals Inc., which has renovated a number of houses in the neighborhood, including the one next door to Rossi's.

HomeTown is owned by John Jarrett K. Whalen and his brother, Terry. The brothers have bought more than 100 tax-delinquent properties in Sharon. John deals with returning houses to the tax rolls and Terry, a retired state trooper, is the maintenance manager, working on the everyday rehabilitation of the mostly dilapidated properties the company purchases.

"We're kind of lucky to have Attorney Whalen. He bought lots of homes around here and has really fixed them up," Rio said.

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