SHENANDOAH -- More than a dozen row homes were left gutted by fire on North Union and East Centre Streets in Shenandoah and now a state police fire marshal says this is a case of arson.
“It's nonsense and what reason they did it for, I don't know,” said Sarah Shustack.
For people living around the fire scene, there is outrage and fear, learning this was set by someone.
“They're crazy, and why, I mean I don't know why,” said Shustack. “They're drinking. They're squatters. There's so much stuff going on in this town anymore. It's not the same as it used to be.”
“Makes me really mad, very mad because there could have been little kids around, playing around here or something. Something could have happened, children or something,” said Charlie Koncsler.
The blaze broke out around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, quickly ripping through those row homes. All were vacant.
It took fire crews several hours to get the fire under control.
Investigators say the fire was set in the rear of the home at 9 North Union Street that sits in the middle of the row. The flames then spread out to the other homes.
Many people said that is one of their biggest fears: fires spreading because the houses are all connected.
“Shenandoah is mainly row homes. No firewalls between them and unfortunately if something is wrong or a fire is set in one of the buildings, on both sides the outcome isn't really good,” said Jackie Webb.
There was a fire at this same spot just two years ago on September 28, 2014.
The Centre Street home was one of four fires that broke out in Shenandoah in a span of a few hours. Those fires were considered suspicious as well.
“It's very scary. It's the second time since we've been here that that building's been on fire and everybody's putting their lives at risk, fighting that fire, and it's hard to believe that somebody would even do that,” said Tara Florio.