FARRELL

With neighbors watching them, Farrell firefighters spent almost an hour Wednesday afternoon putting out what they called a suspicious fire in a vacant house at 607 Bond St.

Bystanders watched as smoke billowed from the roof and attic windows, oozing through the air in the neighborhood.

Teresa Bethel said she was sitting on her Wallis Avenue porch when she smelled smoke. She thought it was coming from the burn pile in her backyard, but when she and neighbor Jessica Stanko checked it out they saw flames and smoke coming from a window.

Ms. Stanko said she and other neighbors called the fire department.

"I hope everybody is all right. I don't want to see anybody come out hurt," she said. "I was almost tempted to run in and make sure there were no people in there."

Jesse Williams, who lives across the street, said the former residents moved out about two days ago. Authorities said the electricity and other utilities were turned off.

"The house was closed up. We know someone got in because the door was open," said Fire Chief Joseph Santell. "Even though there were no occupants, we still had to get in and search right away to make sure no one is in there."

Firefighters were called at 3:38 p.m., had the blaze under control in about a half hour and were gone by 6, Santell said. He said the fire started on the second floor but soon spread through the walls to the attic.

At one point, Santell said, firefighters had used up their air packs -- which help them breathe -- and Hermitage firefighters were called for assistance.