2 People Dead, At Least 1 Other Injured In Bell Twp. Fire
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
UPDATE (Jan. 19, 2021) -- The victim's father, Bernie Zanavich, has also died as a result of the fire. He was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital where he passed away.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
BELL TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) -- One person is dead and at least two others are injured after a fire Monday morning at a home in Westmoreland County.
The fire was reported before 10 a.m. at a structure on Route 286 near Sportsman Road.
At least three people were reportedly trapped in the home initially.
The Westmoreland County Coroner's Office says one person has died. The coroner identified the victim as 52-year-old Frank R. Zanavich, who was found in the basement of the house.
The two others are believed to have been flown by medical helicopters to Pittsburgh hospitals for treatment. Their conditions are unknown.
Neighbor Dana Restori says he talked to relatives of the people who were in the home.
"They were telling me they LifeFlighted two people from the hospital. They didn't think one made it," Ristori said. "Me and my wife are heartbroken over this. We've known them so long. The mother passed away three years ago."
Fire departments from all across the area were called to the scene.
"Firetrucks, state cops, more state cops and tanker trucks came," Restori said.
The state police fire marshal says it appears the fire began in the basement. The cause remains under investigation.