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Fire officials have ruled arson the cause of a York City fire that displaced three people Wednesday night.
City firefighters quickly doused the two-alarm blaze at 1002 S. Pine St., which was reported shortly before 10 p.m.
Damage was mostly contained to the first floor of the building, which contains five apartments, said Acting Chief David Michaels with York City Fire/Rescue Services.
Michaels said Thursday morning that his department and state police fire marshal Brad Dunham investigated the fire Wednesday night and found "signs that led to the conclusion of arson."
Michaels declined to elaborate about what was found, but he said the fire started from the inside of one of two vacant apartments on the first floor and all other "natural" causes were ruled out.
York City Police will investigate the arson, he said.
"It's really hard to prove arson cases, but with some really good police work, hopefully we can get somewhere on this," he said. "When you look at motives of arsonists, there are several reasons. It's hard to say this early into the investigation why someone would do it."
No residents were injured, but one firefighter suffered a leg injury and was treated, he said.
Second alarm: A damage estimate wasn't available Thursday morning, but Michaels said the fire displaced three people who lived in upper-level apartments. They're being assisted by the York-Adams Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The building is uninhabitable until smoke, fire, and water damage can be repaired, he said.
A second-alarm was struck because of the amount of fire, as well as a fear that flames would spread to adjoining houses on South Pine Street, he said.
Firefighters tackled the flames that were shooting from a first floor window and had them out quickly, causing thick smoke that hung over the block.
A number of onlookers held their shirts over their faces in an attempt to keep from breathing in the smoke.
- Reach Greg Gross at ggross@yorkdispatch.com.
