Bitter cold weather this winter is linked to half of the eight house fires investigated locally since Dec. 16.

Determination of the exact causes of most of the fires in Mercer and Auglaize counties is pending by the State Fire Marshal's Office or insurance experts. However, old or overloaded wiring, a chimney and wood-burning stoves were the sources of blazes in Fort Recovery and St. Henry, and two in St. Marys, officials say. [More]