Home destroyed, another damaged by early morning fire in Homestead
HOMESTEAD, Pa. (KDKA) -- A massive fire broke out overnight in Homestead, destroying one home and damaging another.
The fire started at a home along East 13th Avenue around 1:30 a.m. while the family was away on vacation
The flames were so intense, the fire destroyed the second floor of the home. The flames traveled to the home next door, damaging the siding.
Although there is extensive damage, no one was injured.
"It looked like the Fourth of July," said neighbor Charles Turner. "The whole street was lit up. It was sparkling and crackling."
Turner said he was laying down with his cat and dog when he heard first responders.
"The police came and started banging," said Turner. "When I looked out, I saw the neighbor's house was on fire, and it was headed toward my home through the wires and the siding, and the police ordered me to get out of the home."
Video from a viewer shows huge flames and heavy smoke billowing into the sky.
Fire Chief Tim Eads said the roof collapsed at the house where the fire started, and thankfully no one was inside at the time. He said the fire started on the second floor of the house in what appears to be an office.
He spoke to the homeowners on the phone, and they're devastated. While they were on vacation, their alarm system alerted them about the incident and called 911.
The outside and inside of Turner's home were also damaged.
"I'm just thankful I'm alive, and I thank the creator that I'm still here and my animals are safe," said Turner.
While Turner can renovate his home, the other house is boarded up and condemned.
The Allegheny County fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire and thinks there may have been an electrical problem.
