Officials Investigate Warehouse Fire, Burglary In North Fayette Twp.
NORTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- An intense fire destroyed a warehouse overnight in North Fayette Township.
Police say they were first called around 1:50 a.m. to the A&R Development warehouse in the 100-block of West Allegheny Road for a burglar alarm.
When they arrived though, they found the building engulfed in flames and called for firefighters.
Crews say the building was constructed of metal, which intensified the heat of the fire.
"This probably would have been about an eight. It was pretty hot," said Chief Gary Hamilton, of the North Fayette VFD. "It's a metal building, so the sides of the metal sheeting were actually glowing red in some spots."
Owned by A&R Development, the structure was loaded with substances and things that fueled the incredibly hot flames.
"[It] housed primarily maintenance equipment and tools to repair maintained equipment," said Chief Hamilton. "There was a paint booth in there."
Officials say there was also a 3,000 gallon tanker truck outside, fully loaded with oil and already burning.
This is the second time the structure caught fire. Five years ago, the same thing happened and that fire was determined to be arson.
In addition to the fire, investigators say a large building next door had also been broken into.
"There was forced entry into this building, through a window," said Lt. Michael Hamm, of the North Fayette Police Department. "There was also forced entry to a front door."
The fire right now being is considered suspicious.
The investigation into it continues as does the apparent burglary that took place next door.
If you have any information about either one of the events, you are asked to call the North Fayette Police Department.
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