Firefighters worked double time overnight battling two house fires in East Liverpool.

Around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, a house on West Ninth Street was reported to be fully engulfed in flames.

About 3½ hours later, officials received another call that a house on the other side of town, on Harvey Street, had also caught fire.


Both homes were vacant and no one was injured. Officials say because the houses were vacant and because of the location, the fires are being deemed suspicious.


"You just wonder what's going on, naturally," said neighbor Shirley Busby. "We walked out on the front porch, my girlfriend and I, we sat on the swing and just watched. We're so glad it didn't burn up."

Crews were back at the scene Thursday morning putting out hot spots.

Officials said they believe the fire may have started in the front of the first home, but it is evident the house is charred from all angles.

The Harvey Street fire started in the bedroom and officials were able to contain the blaze.

Neighbors describe it as an unsettling situation.

"It kind of gives you a scary feeling," said Busby. "Those poor people were running around like crazy trying to take care of it in time. We just hope and pray there's no more. ...They could have had families and children in there. That's scary. I think it's horrible and whoever is doing it should quit doing it."

The West Ninth Street house has been ruled a total loss.

Both fires are still under investigation. Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage as details become available.