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Thursday, May 23, 2013 | 1:57 p.m.

Posted: 9:26 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012

Fire marshal investigates arsons, other suspicious fires in Elk Co.

By Brittany Boyer

ELK COUNTY, Pa. —

Residents in Elk County are still on edge after a rash of arsons and suspicious fires that have plagued the county since May. 

On May 30, a fire broke out along West Main Street in Ridgway. 

This was the beginning of the arsons, officials said.

In July, police arrested Francis and Anthony Milliard on suspicion of starting the fire. 

The Milliards are in jail but there are several other suspicious fires under investigation. 

The next fire happened on June 17 along Walnut Street in Ridgway. Nobody was home at the time of the fire, but a husband and wife who had lived their for several decades were displaced.

Police said the arsons continued, eventually making its way to Johnsonburg. 

According to 6 News reports, a fire broke out at the Old Johnsonburg Hotel on June 28. A cause has not been ruled, but firefighters said the fire is being treated as suspicious. 

A few days later and a couple of blocks a way, the former St.Joe's club was intentionally set on fire on July 2. 

 Investigators said the suspicious fires have made their way to St.Mary's. On July 9 police investigated a fire that involved a pop-up camper along Parade Street in St.Mary's. 

A cause has not yet been determined. 

On July 10 a fire marshal ruled a car fire that happened on Rettger Street in St.Mary's arson. 

That same night, police said a shed caught fire along Berwind Street. A cause for that fire has not yet been determined. 

Another arson was investigated on July 14 along Lynch Road in St.Mary's. 

An additional fire was ruled arson on July 18 in Ridgway after police said a 12-year-old caused a fire at a home along Grant Road. 

Tuesday morning's fire in Johnsonburg is being treated as suspicious. 

Neighbors told 6 News that heard people running through the alley way around 1 a.m. when the fire broke out. 

Anybody with information is asked to call state police in Ridgway at 814-776-6136. 

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