Nation IN BRIEF : PENNSYLVANIA : Ship Cleared for Travel After 2 Fires

A luxury liner that caught fire twice and ran aground once in a week received conditional clearance to return to sea even though an arsonist might be lurking on board, the Coast Guard said. “We’re concerned about the firebug, and we want him to be found and removed. But the bottom line is, when we’re satisfied the ship is safe to sail, we’ll let it sail,” Lt. Pete Hoffman said. Authorities said they suspect a crew member may have set the second fire, which broke out Friday, five days after an apparently accidental blaze caused the Regent Star to run aground in Delaware Bay. Petty Officer Gary Rives said an inspection turned up several “minor” violations, such as faulty hatches and fire doors. But if the problems are corrected by today, the ship could depart Philadelphia on a scheduled five-day cruise to Canada, he said.