ATLAS - A tiny fire that caused minimal damage on the back porch of an Atlas home Wednesday night has been ruled suspicious in nature, said Mount Carmel Township Police Chief and fire marshal Brian Hollenbush.
It is the fourth dubious fire in the small Mount Carmel Township village since April 26, and Hollenbush is asking residents again to stay alert.
"They should keep their eyes open and their porch lights on," he said, but was quick to note at the scene that he does not know whether Wednesday's fire is related to any of the other fires.
The fire ignited at approximately 7:30 p.m. at the bottom of a wooden support beam at the back corner of 400 Columbia Ave. that faces Willow Street.
An Aqua PA water monitoring box and a DirectTV satellite and electrical cord are located in that area, but Hollenbush said those items did not cause the fire.
"All electrical possibilities were ruled out and all natural causes were ruled out," he said.
Atlas Fire Chief Charles Gasperetti, Hollenbush and other fire and emergency personnel were thoroughly inspecting the ground for any clues as to what could have started the small fire, and Hollenbush was taking several photos around the area.
Neighbor noticed smoke
The fire was spotted by Derek Lankford, of 428 Columbia Ave., who was taking a walk when he noticed smoke. He warned the occupants of the house and rushed back to his own home for a fire extinguisher.
By the time he returned, the occupants of the house had dumped water on it, and Lankford doused it again to make sure it wouldn't reignite.
Heidi Edleblute, who has been living in the house for two years with her husband, two sons and one of her son's girlfriend, said she and her family were relaxing inside the home when Lankford warned them about the fire.
"I'm a little shook up," she said while sitting at the corner of Columbia Avenue and Willow Street.
Edleblute said she was scared because of the rash of suspicious fires in the village.
Other fires
On April 26, a suspicious fire destroyed two garages at the rear of the 100 block of West Girard Street owned by Lee Britton and his son, Laramy.
On May 1, a second suspicious fire caused extensive damage to an unoccupied two-story home at 524 W. Girard St. and left Randy Merlo, 47, of 526 W. Girard St.
On May 2, a third suspicious destroyed three garages and damaged a fourth at the rear of the 200 block of East Saylor Street.
Although he wouldn't confirm those fires are arson, Hollenbush said they are similar in nature and extra patrols have been in place since those incidents.
Lankford, Edleblute and witnesses at the scene reported that they didn't see anything suspicious before the small fire.
Fire departments from the township, Mount Carmel and Stonington, and AREA Services from Atlas all responded to the scene.