Massive fire in downtown Monessen destroys two buildings
MONESSEN (KDKA) - A fire in Monessen has left two buildings in its downtown neighborhood destroyed.
Smoke from the blaze could be seen for miles and multiple fire units responded to the scene.
Flames ripped through the former Boost Mobile store and the adjacent building causing multiple fire units from three different counties to respond.
Shortly after 9 a.m., dozens of firefighters responded to not one but two burning buildings in downtown Monessen.
Monessen Municipal Fire Chief Delmar Hepple said that as soon as units arrived, they were facing several major challenges.
"Multiple explosions to the Boost Mobile building, it is speculation, but it could be lithium batteries," he said. "I had multiple explosions, upwards of 20 coming from the rear of the building. I was told that there was a tenant there who had cancer, and it could be an oxygen thing, but we're not sure at this time."
The tenant he spoke of was Howard Higgins, who just recently won his long battle with cancer, only to see his home on the second floor destroyed.
Howard was staying with his son David at the time of the fire and despite losing most of his belongings, he's just grateful no one was injured or killed.
"As long as nobody was hurt," he said. It's just a building. Everything in the building can be replaced."
Along with all residents of these buildings being accounted for, no firefighters or first responders were reported injured at the scene.
We're working to learn what exactly caused the fire and we are going to keep you updated.
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