Suspected Arsons in Shickshinny Area

Shickshinny, Luzerne County-- Three suspicious fires in the Shickshinny area have people concerned about a possible fire bug.

Investigators are trying to figure out if they're all connected.

Fire smoldered at a vacant home along North Susquehanna Avenue in Shickshinny Tuesday morning.

The blaze was first reported just after 5AM-- and we're told the wet, freezing conditions made things even more difficult.

Mocanaqua Fire Chief Stephen McDaniels explained, "Being that it was a flood-damaged home prevented us from gaining access into the interior, because the floor was pretty much knocked out."

Trisha Snyder and her family quickly noticed the smoke and flames from their home just across the street.

Snyder recalled, "I was freaking out. I was shaking, I was crying. I was like, 'Oh my God. It's right here. What if we were in this house sleeping, and they caught our house on fire?' I feel bad because the people already went through a hard time with the flood-- and now arson?"

We're told the home has been empty since last year's flood.

Just about 90 minutes prior, firefighters had been called to douse flames inside a parked Mercedes SUV on Canal Street, right around the corner from the vacant home.

McDaniels continued, "Not only are they putting their neighbors in jeopardy, but also us being volunteers coming out here, anything can happen at any time with us getting hurt."

And Monday afternoon, firefighters worked to put out a blaze inside another vacant home-- this one along Main Street in Mocanaqua-- a short distance away.       

The chief says both the homes have been vacant pretty much since the flood last year.

Now he's asking for the public's help to catch whoever is responsible.

McDaniels added, "I'd like the residents to keep an eye out, and if they see anything suspicious, please call 9-1-1 and report it to the local police department or the state police."

A state police fire marshal is on scene investigating both fires from early Tuesday morning.

Again, anyone with more information on these suspected arsons should call police.