1 Dead In Westmoreland Co. Motel Fire
IRWIN (KDKA) – At least one person died in a Thursday morning motel fire in Westmoreland County.
According to emergency dispatchers, the fire broke out at the Motel 3 in the 7500-block of Lincoln Highway in Irwin shortly before 7 a.m.
The flames began to build. Despite that firefighters ventured inside
"When we arrived, we found fire in several units," said Chief Don Thoma, of the Adamsburg Volunteer Fire Department. "Our crews searched the building several times with heavy fire."
Hoping all rooms were vacated, firefighters soon found out at least one wasn't.
"Right now, it looks like we have one fatality. The other residents got out okay," said Chief Thoma.
The Westmoreland County Coroner's Office has identified the victim as 43-year-old Timothy Shane of Hempfield Township. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hoses had to be run across Route 30. Most cars stopped in accordance with motor vehicle law, but not everyone.
"It was very dangerous for our guys," said Chief Thoma. "They didn't care; they drove over our hose. They were driving around our people."
Firefighters are more than familiar with fire operations at Motel 3. They've taken on smaller blazes there in the past.
It's believed the fire started in the unit the victim was staying in. The cause remains under investigation.
Route 30 has since been reopened to traffic.
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