Ben Avon Neighborhood Grateful To Firefighters For Extinguishing Blaze

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- When firefighters arrived Saturday night, the duplex at the end of Berringer Place in Ben Avon was engulfed in flames.

Mike Meagher saw a strange light across the street just before the curtains caught on fire. That's when he called 911.

"It went up like a pile of matchsticks," Meagher said. "I mean, it engulfed very quickly."

By Sunday morning, all that was left from the duplex was a chimney and piles of scorched debris.

Fueled by high winds, the fire spread quickly, melting the aluminum siding on Bill Kortis' house next door. He's praising firefighters from Ben Avon and nine other departments for saving his house.

"They did a fantastic job, they brought the fire hoses all the way up, went out the third floor window and fought the fire from the third floor of our house," Kortis said.

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The fire was so hot and intense it melted the headlights and part of the bumper on this car and even scorched the siding on Meagher's house across the street. He believes firefighters prevented the outcome from being much worse.

"Ten companies responded and they got here quick, it's not the easiest street to get down either," he said.

Neighbors hope this fire will serve as a reminder to everyone to check out their smoke detector. Last night, the smoke detector was working, it woke the couple on one side, they in turn woke up their neighbors and everyone got out safely

One firefighter was struck by flying brick, but his injuries were not serious.

The American Red Cross is assisting the residents of the duplex with food, clothing and shelter.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.