Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

A second fire on the same block in Western Springs within 24 hours was extinguished Thursday evening, and both are now being investigated as arson, Western Springs police said.

A vacant house was reported on fire at 5:30 p.m. on the 4900 block of Woodland Avenue, just two doors from of another vacant home that caught fire on Wednesday evening.

That house had been vacant for at least three year and also burned on March 7, Western Springs. The source of the March 7 fire was undetermined, said Western Springs Police Chief Brian Budds. The second fire at the house is considered suspicious.

Less than 24 hours later, a woman noticed smoke coming out of the eaves of the house two doors to the north.

While firefighters tried to force open the side door, a relative of the owner arrived with a key.  A Western Spring police officer said he had been out to check on the house Thursday morning and it was locked securely.

Budds said Thursday night’s fire also has been determined to be suspicious and police are investigating both fires as  arson.

Police ask anyone with information to call the department at 708-246-8540.

thanks Dan

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