2 People Killed In Mt. Pleasant Township Fire
MT. PLEASANT TOWNSHIP (KDKA)- The Westmoreland County coroner was called to the scene of a fire in Mt. Pleasant Township early Wednesday morning.
The fire started around 3:45 a.m. at a home on East Laurel Circle.
When crews arrived, the home had heavy smoke and flames coming from it.
Firefighter Mark Hudec said crews had a hard time getting into the home when they arrived.
"It looks like it started in the basement, the fire marshal is on scene looking into the cause," Hudec said.
After an interior search of the home, firefighters found two people dead.
Neighbors identified the victims as Cathy and Jim Kochis and said they lived in the home for about 50 years.
"I grew up with their kids, they are beautiful people," said neighbor Deborah Stairs. "The kindest people, and they took such good care of their house and their yard."
Responding to the early morning fire was difficult for Hudec as well.
"I babysat their kids when I was younger, so I've known the couple my whole life," Hudec said. "It's like that. Everybody knew them, you never saw them apart. They were liked."
West Penn Power has also been called to the scene, as some power lines may be affected.
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