(File Photo of a Fire Background)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Castle, PA) A fire that spread to multiple buildings in Lawrence County last night is under investigation, and officials say the cause is being treated as “very suspicious.”

The fire broke out shortly after 10 p.m. on North Mercer Street in New Castle. 

WPXI confirmed that no one was injured.

It primarily damaged Giovanni’s Salon and Spa, which had been closed for some time, as well as an adjacent building. Fire officials said damage to Hazel’s Restaurant was minimal, though the fire did reach the structure. 

New Castle Fire Chief Mike Kobbe said investigators consider the origin of the fire highly questionable. He said police detectives are actively investigating, and a state arson investigator is likely to be called in to assist. 

Kobbe also noted that New Castle has experienced arson cases in the past, including a series of roughly 20 fires between 2012 and 2013 that led to the formation of an arson task force and multiple arrests. 

“The only thing we know for certain is this is very suspicious,” Kobbe said.