Another vacant home on the city's northeast side was badly damaged by fire early today, and, again, vagrants are suspected, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
By the time firefighters arrived at the home in the 5900 block of Catalina Sunrise, which is off Ackermann road, flames were already shooting out of the windows. It took firefighters nearly an hour to bring the fire under control.
Arson investigators are on the scene, but fire officials, especially in the distressed areas of the northeast side, have had a big problem this year with bums and dope heads breaking into vacant homes to sleep and to use drugs. Frequently they have been known to start fires inside the homes to keep warm.