Published: March 15, 2008 10:51 pm         

Suspicious fire: Vacant house goes up in flames

TERRE HAUTE — A vacant house neighbors said was condemned just Friday went up in flames Saturday evening around 7:41 p.m.

Kathrina Boykin said she had just lost the house at 2030 Putnam St. to foreclosure in January and that it’s been vacant ever since.

“This is crazy,” she said, adding that she’s seen and reported to police that neighborhood teenagers have been stealing wood from the house and setting it on fire in the alleys lately.

“It makes you wonder where their parents are,” she said.

According to a media release from the Terre Haute Fire Department, a witness saw four young males running from the structure just prior to the emergency responders’ arrival.

The release confirmed that the house had been condemned by the city last week.

John Gardner, public information officer for the fire department, said anyone with information on the fire should contact Crime Stoppers at (812) 238-7867 as the fire is suspicious and under investigation.

Officials deemed the house a total loss.

Boykin said nothing of hers was lost in the fire and that she has no financial interest in it anymore, but she was still a little depressed watching her old home burn.

“It’s kind of sad. That’s where our kids were born,” she said.