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Officials: Funeral Home Fire Suspicious

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- As investigators try to determine what caused flames to engulf an old funeral home in Larimer last night, authorities are looking into reports that two men were seen on the roof of the building shortly before the blaze began.

Thick smoke and flames could been seen shooting high into the air for miles Monday evening at the former Gaines Funeral Home along Auburn Street.

The building had been vacant for about three years after the owner moved his business to Penn Hills.

Firefighters doused the structure with water, saving adjacent buildings. This morning, firefighters returned to the scene amid concerns that the charred rubble might rekindle.

Sources tell KDKA that the fire is very suspicious.

According to the owner of the funeral home, Tony Gaines, arson investigators told him that two people were seen on the roof prior to the fire.

"There were two males up on the roof to the left of the building," Gaines added. "Forty-five minutes [later], the place was up in smoke."

Police sources are still investigating.

RELATED LINKS:

  • Flames Engulf Former Funeral Home In Larimer (6/6)
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  • Pittsburgh Police
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