The fire on Kennedy Street in Bradford in the early morning
hours of Aug. 10 remains under investigation by Kane-based state
police.

Fire marshal Cpl. Martin Henneman explained Wednesday afternoon
that despite many previous reports, “nobody has said that (fire)
was arson. It’s an undetermined fire at this point.”

The investigation is continuing he said, adding he is looking
into the “cause and origin, interviewing witnesses” and that there
are a few suspects. He would not comment further on the
situation.

Early in the investigation, Ridgway-based fire marshal Trooper
Greg Agosti indicated that the Bradford City Fire Department’s
demolition of the four burned houses before his arrival hampered
the investigation. However, Henneman said he could not comment on
that on Wednesday.

Henneman indicated the investigation will likely take a few
months to complete.

No one was injured in the fire that broke out at 170 Kennedy St.
– a vacant house with no utilities – at 2:28 a.m. Aug. 10 and
quickly spread to 166, 174 and 176, leaving 11 people homeless. All
four homes were destroyed and any standing structures were
demolished Aug. 10 and 11.

Bradford City Fire Chief Bill McCormack and Department of Health
official George Corignani ordered the demolition of the houses
almost immediately after the fire. McCormack said the structures
were unstable, and one of the buildings had caved in on
firefighters while they were fighting the blaze.

McCormack also said the houses could have kept burning for days
had they not been demolished.