For the second time in a week, an abandoned West Side home has been destroyed by fire, and, for the second time in a week, arson is suspected, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Fire broke out about 11PM Sunday at the vacant home, which was located in the 1200 block of South Hamilton Street.
By the time firefighters arrived, the home was engulfed in flames, and crews were unable to salvage it.Arson investigators are trying to determine the cause.
Last week, a vacant home on West Houston Street was destroyed in an arson fire. That home had been taken over by squatters and drug users.
Squatters taking over vacant homes is not isolated to the City's west side. Last month, then northeast side Councilman Mike Gallagher warned of homeless people taking refuge in vacant homes in his district, largely because in many cases, the utilities are still turned on because the homes are being shown by real estate agents.