SHAMOKIN - The city's police chief says a small fire that occurred Sunday night inside a vacant half-double across the street from a fire station is considered suspicious.
A volunteer fireman broke his leg during the effort to extinguish the blaze, emergency officials said.
Police Chief Ed Griffiths said several papers were set on fire in the basement of a home at Arch and Coal streets, just across from Independence Fire Co.
Police Cpl. Darwin Tobias said the debris was set ablaze along a basement wall.
Both said an investigation into the matter continues.
A male was detained at the scene and questioned by police but was later released.
Gary Kays, a member of Rescue Squad 60, fractured his leg while attempting to help put out the blaze, emergency officials said.
Emergency responders were called to the blaze at 11:35 p.m. after a bartender at Independence Fire Co. noticed smoke coming from the eaves and chimney.
Shamokin Fire Bureau Battalion Chief Jason Zimmerman said there was smoke in the structure, but flames were limited to the common basement of the home.
"It was extinguished in five minutes," Zimmerman said, noting the call was limited to the Shamokin Fire Bureau.
Exhaust fans were used to ventilate the building.