Children start Hawthorn fire

Clarion state police say young children playing with a lighter started a fire and caused about $20,000 in damages to a home in Hawthorn on Friday.

The blaze erupted at about 11:15 a.m. at the residence at 4135 Brookville St. Police identified the victim as Bryan G. Watkins, but the press release wasn’t clear whether he is the homeowner, the resident or both.
Police said a state police fire marshal and Hawthorn volunteer firefighters investigated the origin and cause of the fire and determined that the blaze started in a bedroom on the second floor of the two-story home. The investigators also concluded that young children started the fire.

Police said no one was hurt.