Philadelphia Suburb Hit by 20th Arson Despite Arrests
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Authorities say the suburban Philadelphia city of Coatesville has been hit by yet another arson -- the 20th deliberately set blaze of the year.
The fire struck two homes around 1:30 a.m. Saturday. Firefighters say both houses were badly damaged.
John Hageman of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says the blaze was deliberately set.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Click here to see photos.
He declined to elaborate on how the task force determined the fire to be arson.
A 19-year-old man was held for trial Friday in connection with nine blazes between Jan. 2 and Feb. 3, including a massive fire that severely damaged 15 row homes.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Coatesville is a distressed steel town about 35 miles west of Philadelphia.