Several people evacuated from Verona senior high rise amid lengthy power outage following heavy storms
VERONA, Pa. (KDKA) -- Several people were evacuated from a senior high rise in Verona overnight amid a lengthy power outage following storms that moved through the Pittsburgh area.
The Arthur J. Demor Tower lost power around 5:30 p.m. on Monday. Power was restored at around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Firefighters and other first responders went door to door checking on residents. Of the more than 60 people who live there, some started to run low on oxygen.
At least three people were taken by bus to the Verona Municipal Building along East Railroad Avenue.
UPDATE: Verona Police tell me the plan is to EVACUATE the senior high rise building, Demor Towers.
— Jennifer Borrasso (@JenBorrasso) June 18, 2024
Waiting on the Red Cross to arrive.
They are trying to figure out where to take the 60 plus residents. @KDKA https://t.co/oWyfd6mEje pic.twitter.com/LNmL2act8l
Verona Mayor Dave Ricupero told KDKA-TV's Jennifer Borrasso that the building doesn't have a generator and says that's unacceptable.
"Whoever owns this, I don't know if it changed hands or not, but they need to be liable for this and I'm going to have a meeting tomorrow with my code enforcement officer to come down here and go through this building."
Mayor Ricupero also said there are no emergency lighting inside the building and it was extremely hot inside, making for dangerous conditions for those who live there.
The property is listed as being owned by ACTION-Housing, Inc.