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Four-Alarm Fire Destroys Multiple Homes In Scott Township

SCOTT TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Seven families escaped a four-alarm fire that destroyed multiple homes in Scott Township early Saturday morning.

Scott Township firefighters went on the defense as soon as they arrived around 4 a.m. A fire of unknown origin was spreading quickly through a triplex home in the 200 block of Noblestown Road.

"The first arriving units got on scene and had a well-involved triplex on fire," said Scott Township VFD Chief Adam Kauer.

The fire jumped quickly to four alarms. Within minutes, flames were moving to another triplex next door. Resident Shawn Calhoun was asleep when he was awakened by his father.

"My dad comes panicking, shakes me on the bed and says, 'wake up, wake up,' so I wake up," he said. "He says the house is on fire, so instantly, right then and there, I ran and grabbed my sister, and I went downstairs."

Calhoun will never forget the intense heat hitting his face. He ran out the front door just as flames were engulfing the porch of his home. The fire burned utility wires and scorched two vehicles parked in front. When it was over, one of the triplex units burned to the ground.

"Two out of three are pretty destroyed in this particular triplex behind us," Kauer said, "and then the house on the other side has extensive fire damage as well."

"Everything melted," Calhoun said. "TVs melted, my computers are done for. My sister's room, which is right next door to mine, they said the ceiling caved in from the attic, and it just went everywhere, and there's flooding in the basement."

Fortunately, seven families escaped safely from the heavy smoke and flames that surrounded the structures.

The county fire marshal is investigated the cause. No firefighters were injured, and a 96-year-old woman was taken to the hospital for evaluation. But with less than two weeks before Christmas, up to 20 people are now receiving food, clothing and shelter from the American Red Cross.

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