Family Able To Escape As Flames Engulf Avalon Home

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AVALON (KDKA) – Emergency officials kicked down doors in Avalon Friday morning after a home went up in flames.

According to officials, the fire broke out in the 800 block of Florence Avenue around 8:30 a.m.

Neighbors say that the smoke was so thick that they couldn't even tell which home was on fire.

"It was so black and it turned black and actually I thought it was a car because of the rubber," neighbor Patty Fiorenzo said.

Firefighters said everyone inside did make it out safety.

Neighbors who live behind the house watched as the flames filled the entire first floor. C.J. McNair smelled the smoke and grabbed her cell phone as flames shot out of the front windows.

A mom, who just finished working nightshift, her cousin and two children were inside the home when the fire started. All were able to get out safely.

"She worked the overnight shift so she was sleeping, I think they did take her away for some smoke inhalation just to check that she is OK," neighbor Jenny Branch said. "But everyone is upset, but they are happy they made it out alive."

"And I went up to see if anybody was hurt. That was my main concern and thank God, they're all OK. Unfortunately, there's a lot of damage," Fiorenzo said.

Police officers kicked down doors and woke up neighbors next door to move them to safety in case the fire spread.

"For as bad as something like this is to happen, everybody is OK," Avalon Police Chief Tom Kokoski said.

The police chief said the case will be turned over to the fire marshal. They will now investigate and continue to interview people who were inside to determine the cause.