Fire Problems In Homes Facing Foreclosure Continue

The following stories report fires in foreclosed homes from around the country:

• Marion, Ohio: A firefighter was injured when responding to a fire in a vacant home on the north side of the city Sunday evening. Firefighter Mike Crabtree was injured and taken to the Marion General Hospital Emergency Room for a neck injury when part of the ceiling fell on him. He was treated and released. The home was believed to be in foreclosure and listed CitiMortgage as the owner. Damage is estimated at $50,000. "We've had more than our share [of vacant house fires," Fire Chief Al Gruber] said. See Firefighter injured from collapsed ceiling.

• New Haven, Connecticut: A powerful explosion and fire destroyed a Fair Haven home overnight Thursday, the third fire in the neighborhood in just over a week. Fire officials are calling all three suspicious. [...] All three houses that burned since last week were in various states of foreclosure. [...] Heat from the fire was so intense it melted vinyl siding on two nearby houses, including one across the street and about 40 feet away. See Blast, fire destroys 3rd foreclosed home in just over a week.

• Sedona, Arizona: A house fire in Sedona is being treated as a crime scene after flames broke out twice in the empty house this weekend. The home at 200 El Camino Drive was valued at $1.2 million, but had been foreclosed upon. See Arson suspected in foreclosure house fire.

• Flint, Michigan: [Gordon] Yoesting had been squatting inside the house with his cat Mustard for the past 10 months but he had hopes it would soon be his. But that dream went up in flames Wednesday morning when fire engulfed the small home near Lewis Street, trapping Yoesting inside. Yoesting had been living in the home since December after the owner [...] decided it was too costly and let it slip into foreclosure. See Flint fire kills Gordan Yoesting, squatter in foreclosed home.

• Fort Wayne, Indiana: A 36-year-old Fort Wayne man admitted Tuesday to setting his foreclosed home on fire. [...] The house was to have been sold April 17 because of the foreclosure, according to court documents. [The fire was set April 15]. See Homeowner admits to arson.

For other stories on fires & foreclosures, go here, go here, go here, go here, and go here. ArsonForeclosureAlpha