The early morning rowhome fire that displaced more than a dozen residents of the 2100 block of North 4th Street was the result of arson. In a release sent out this afternoon, Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline says “the original fire building, 2128 North Fourth Street was fire bombed by a person or persons unknown at this time.”
A total of 14 residents were displaced by the fire and are being assisted by the American Red Cross with food, clothing, and temporary shelter.
Firefighters got the call this morning just before 6am. Firefighters arrived within three minutes to find the home at 2128 engulfed in flames. The fire quickly spread to buildings on both sides of the structure. Initial reports of people being trapped inside turned out to be false. Due to the number of buildings involved, the fire quickly escalated to three alarms. Additional firefighters from Steelton, Penbrook, Paxtang, Susquehanna Township, Lower Paxton Township, Swatara Township, Lower Allen Township, and West Shore Bureau of Fire assisted Harrisburg.
Anyone with information regarding this fire is encouraged to contact Detective Jeff Schriver with the Harrisburg Police Department at (717)255-3183 or jschriver@cityofhbg.com. This is an open an active police investigation at this time. Any further pertinent information involving the fire will be released by the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.