Kennedy Township Townhouse Damaged By Early Morning Fire
KENNEDY TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- A Kennedy Township couple was forced out of their home by an early morning fire Monday.
Fire crews say it was fortunate there were no injuries.
"I thought it was actually a salt truck. I thought it was snowing or something. We looked down and saw all the fire trucks coming up," neighbor Pat Benzing said.
The fire broke out in the early morning hours along Castleview Drive and crews were focusing on the roof area of the building.
Crews at the scene told KDKA that everyone was able to safely escape the fire and no injuries were reported.
"You could see smoke in the air and the orange glow probably about a mile away. When we pulled up here, it was filled with smoke and just glow from the fire," Justin Gutt with the Kennedy Volunteer Fire Department said.
Fire crews say the homeowner tried to use an extinguisher to put out the fire but had no luck. The two people living in the townhome were able to get out safely with their pets.
"It didn't look good from the beginning, hopefully the firewalls are working," Benzing said.
Fire crews said it's fortunate the flames didn't spread because of how close the homes are.
"With these kind of buildings, the roofline connects sometimes, and once the fire gets into the ceiling, it can spread throughout the whole building," Gutt said.
Significant damage was caused to the home. Most of the roof is gone and the second floor has significant damage as well.
Crews believe the fire started in an upstairs bedroom.
"Fortunately we got here quick and there was some firewalls that prevented it from spreading to neighboring units," Gutt said after crews put out the flames.
The cause is under investigation by the Allegheny County Fire Marshal. The Red Cross is assisting anyone displaced.
