Two houses on Belmont damaged in arson fire

An arson fire caused about $13,000 damage yesterday to two houses in the 1200 block of Belmont Avenue, fire officials said.

The fire started on the porch and inside foyer of a vacant house at 1260 Belmont about 3:30 a.m. Flames spread to the side of an occupied neighboring house at 1258 Belmont, which sustained the most damage, fire officials said.

The house at 1260 Belmont caught fire earlier this month. The accidental blaze was started by an electrical short in a wall between the kitchen and dining room.