McKeesport Apartment Fire Considered Suspicious, 6 People Displaced
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MCKEESPORT (KDKA) -- An early morning fire in McKeesport damaged several apartments and left four adults and two children without a home.
KDKA has learned that the fire marshal will now investigate the cause of the fire at the building along 5th Avenue.
The fire is being considered suspicious, and has been ruled an arson. The final report may take weeks to come in.
#UPDATE: Fire Marshal said they're calling this a "suspicious fire" in #McKeesport and suspect arson is to blame. He said it could take several days, weeks for full report. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/qr53uZ53Z2
— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) January 3, 2019
Melted window frames and shattered glass cover the ground below the one side of the building damaged by the fire.
Linda Wilson lives on the other side of the building and said she heard the fire alarm but thought it was a prank at first. She said people have pulled the fire alarm before. But, she said she looked out the window and saw the flashing lights.
"The whole window was lit up and there were fire engines from the end of that block all the way to the corner," Wilson said.
KDKA's Meghan Schiller Reports:
She said she grabbed her foster brother and joined the rest of her neighbors outside. She said they stood outside in the cold for a few hours.
"We stayed out here about two to three hours and like I said, my concern, I'm OK, it's kids, the children," said Wilson.
The McKeesport Fire Chief Jeffrey Tomovcsik said they fought the flames aggressively.
"It had heavy fire in two locations on the second [floor]. No injuries at this time and obviously we're going to have a few residents displaced due to the damage," Tomovcsik said.
He said the fire damaged about six units and three of them were occupied at the time.
The Red Cross of Greater PA will now help out the displaced residents until they can find a new place to call home.
One person was treated by first responders on scene but did not end up going to the hospital.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
