Police investigating suspected arson
BROWNSVILLE – Firefighters were called out twice Monday for a fire at a house on Water Street that was being demolished. Burning the building was not part of the demolition plan.
“They tore it down, but somebody lit it this morning. The owner says it wasn’t him,” said South Brownsville Fire Chief Edward “Woody” Nicholson.
Nicholson, who is also the borough’s code enforcement officer, said the building’s owner, Attilio “Junior” Cicconi, obtained all the proper permits to tear down the old house at 1002 Water St.
Nicholson said the Brownsville police are investigating the suspected arson.
The fire department was called out at 10:06 a.m. for the initial fire. The blaze rekindled mid-afternoon. Nicholson said the building’s location next to the Fenwick Park ball field made it imperative that the firefighters get the fire completely out.
“They have a ball game here tonight, so we’re trying to take care of it,” Nicholson said.
Firefighters from South Brownsville and Brownsville No. 1 (North Side) were called out to the fire, along with Brownsville Ambulance Service Inc. There were no injuries reported.
The South Brownsville Volunteer Fire Department was called out last week for a report that the house had collapsed.
The collapse was a planned part of the demolition, with a crane used to help the building collapse into itself.