Vacant Pinewood Avenue house destroyed by fire

8/21/2013

Fire of suspicious origin destroyed a house early today in the 600 block of Pinewood Avenue.

Battalion Fire Chief Rick Syroka said he asked for an investigator to examine the circumstances that led up to the blaze at 620 Pinewood near City Park Avenue. Firefighters were dispatched at 2:08 a.m. The blaze apparently started on the first floor at the left-rear portion of the 1 1/2-story structure.

Fire spread into the attic, which hampered efforts to put the blaze out quickly, Chief Syroka said. Firemen could not find an entry point to the attic from the house's first-floor. The fire gained momentum; Chief Syroka called for an additional pumper at 2:23 a.m.

Moments later, he ordered all fire fighters out of the dwelling as the roof began to sag and eventually collapse. The fire was brought under control at 2:44 a.m.