NATIONAL BRIEFING / PENNSYLVANIA
The latest in a string of suspicious fires in Coatesville tore through a block of row houses, damaging 15 homes, leaving several dozen people homeless -- including a city councilwoman -- and prompting officials to declare a state of emergency.
At least 30 arsons have been reported in this Philadelphia suburb since the beginning of 2008, about half of them in the last three weeks.
The latest fire was reported late Saturday at the rear of one house and quickly spread to adjacent homes.
One of the destroyed homes belonged to Councilwoman Robin Scott, who said she and her family got out safely after police officers knocked on doors to alert residents.
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