1 Dead, House Destroyed In Westmoreland Co. Fire
SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – One man has died after a fire destroyed a home in Westmoreland County Monday morning.
According to emergency dispatchers, the fire broke out at a home in the 500 block of Fitz Henry Road in South Huntingdon Township around 5 a.m.
The victim has been identified as 78-year-old James Thomas Harris.
Neighbors said they woke up to an orange glow in the sky and then heard explosions.
"It was very scary because when I saw it, I thought, 'Oh my God, if they don't get here soon it's going to take away half of these houses.' That's how bad it was," Sally Stevens said.
Neighbors said once they realized what was happening, it was too late.
"The house was just gone - totally engulfed. I was standing over there and I could feel the heat from it," Joshua Eori said.
Stevens lives on the street and grew up in the house next door Harris. She said he lived alone, had been sick for quite some time and had oxygen tanks in his house.
"Everybody in the neighborhood knew him, you know? He stuck to himself, always tinkered with cars. He was a mechanic at one time and he had old cars in his backyard," Stevens said.
Stevens' sister had to leave her house because the fire spread to hers and caused some damage. The fire also melted siding on the house across the street.
It's unclear when those neighbors will be allowed back inside their homes.
Harris' house collapsed as a result of the intense fire, but the cause is unknown.
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