YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - State fire marshals are investigating a suspected arson that occurred in a Youngstown neighborhood Thursday morning.

According to a police report, police were called to a home on the 300 block of Hilton Avenue shortly before 4:00 a.m.

Upon arrival police spoke to an occupant of the home who told officers he and his brother noticed flames outside the home through his basement window. Police say the two victims found the porch to be on fire along with some clothing that was placed on a chair.

Police say the plastic chair appeared to be "melted and charred" along with some clothing lying on the deck near the chair. Police say there was a strong odor of gasoline at the residence.

The occupant told police he also noticed slashed tires on he and his mothers' vehicles. Police say they could not see the damage to the victim's car as he had driven it up the road to try to find the culprit before realizing his tire had been slashed. 

Police say the vehicle was left at someone else's house.

According to the State Fire Marshal's public information officer, the incident is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Explosion Investigation Bureau.