Century III Mall Fire Likely Was Arson, Authorities Say

WEST MIFFLIN, PA — The April 11 fire that erupted at the abandoned Century III Mall is now being investigated as arson, West Mifflin police chief Greg McCulloch told multiple media sources on Wednesday. Accelerant was found on some debris at the scene.

The blaze broke out on the third floor of the mall in the old recruiting station above the food court. No injuries occurred, but several fire companies needed several hours to extinguish it.

Once one of the largest malls in the world, Century III's interior closed in 2019. J.C. Penney, which had an exterior entrance, was the mall's last remaining store; it went out of business in 2020.

Since then, squatters and drug activity have been reported in the mall's derelict ruins. Authorities have advised people against breaking into the graffiti-strewn building, which has mold, pooled water and no power.