Mudslide Damages Duplex In Hazelwood

HAZELWOOD (KDKA) - Several people were displaced because of a mudslide in Hazelwood that damaged a duplex Tuesday morning.

The mudslide damaged a duplex in the 100-block of Flowers Avenue around 3:30 a.m.

Residents inside the home were awoke to broken glass caused by rocks falling down the hillside.

"It sounded like a train or something or something or somebody crashing through the house," one man said.

Firefighters quickly arrived at the scene and assessed the damage.

"It caused some large debris to fall on some of the structural elements of the home. Specifically, one of the beams holding up sort of a rear part of the home and it did damage the exterior fire escape. We inspected the home on the inside and found some cracked walls and some floor problems, indications of potential for a structural collapse," Pittsburgh Fire Bureau Lieutenant James O'Toole said.

Another problem is that there are trees rooted in already weak soil hanging above the building. Building inspectors will assess the situation, but it all may come down to a matter of gravity.

"If the hill goes, the house goes," neighbor Tammy Rush said.

The displaced residents are being put up in a hotel by the Red Cross.

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