Fire Rips Through Home In Springdale, 2 People Hurt
SPRINGDALE (KDKA)- Firefighters had their hands full with a big fire overnight in Springdale.
The fire started just before midnight at a home on Butler Street.
"I actually live nearby," said Springdale Volunteer Fire Department Engineer Lieutenant Josh Thompson. "When I came out of my back door, there was heavy fire coming out of the back of the home."
Neighbors said the flames were intense.
"I said, 'Wow.' It was coming out of the roof and windows. Things started flying out," neighbor Terry Findon said.
The smoke made it hard to breathe.
"I ended up walking down the street to the main road because smoke filled the whole street and it ended up getting worse and worse for my dog. I took her as far away from the smoke as I could," neighbor Diane Zurisko said.
The fire kept spreading after fire crews got on scene. At one point, they pulled all firefighters out of the house.
Crews put the fire out around 3 a.m. and remained on scene to put out some hot spots.
"There was a good bit of ice, but other that we had no problems, we had a good water flow," said Lt. Thompson.
Zurisko said she noticed the fire just before midnight.
"I heard someone banging on my door. I thought someone was trying to break in my house so I called 911," Zurisko said.
The house is a total loss and the county fire marshal is looking into the cause.
As it turns out, the couple that lives in the home that caught fire was trying to tell them to get out because smoke was getting too close.
"The dad went downstairs to check on the pilot light because the furnace was out and he didn't want the pipes to freeze downstairs. So, he grabbed a kerosene heater and tipped it somehow," Findon said.
The couple managed to get out of the house, but neighbors say the man burned his fingers and was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital.
His wife was treated on scene. Fortunately, their daughter was staying with her grandparents, but their cats are unaccounted for.
A local realtor who lives in the neighborhood is extending a helping hand.
"We have an apartment. Half a duplex on Standard Avenue. It's three bedrooms and it's vacant now," Connie Rusek-Lichok siad.
The Red Cross is helping out the family.
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