JEANNETTE (KDKA) — Hours after a major fire destroyed the Mason-Geldon Funeral Home in Jeannette, firefighters were still pouring water on the burned out building.

The funeral home has been around for decades.

Donna Chamberlain, of Jeannette, says Mason-Gelder is a very big part of the community.

“I mean, most of the people that pass away end up going through Mason and Gelder,” she said.

The stubborn fire burned for hours and spread to the roof.

Neighbors believe low water pressure may have been a problem. Crews say they had problems with the hydrants, but say the biggest problem was the building itself.

“You get a lot of void spaces in a building like this that’s [had] some modifications done to it, it gets into a void space and becomes an issue for us to get the fire out,” Jeannette Fire Captain Michael Bertolino said.

The state fire marshal will investigate the cause. One Greensburg firefighter treated for minor injuries.

There was one body inside for a viewing, but it was removed before fire engulfed the building.

Stay with KDKA for the latest developments.

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