3-Alarm Fire Destroys Beechview Auto Repair Shop
BEECHVIEW (KDKA) – An intense fire destroyed an auto repair shop in Beechview Monday night.
According to officials at the scene, the fire broke out at P.C. Auto Repair in the 1600-block of Broadway Avenue around 9 p.m.
The business owner and a friend noticed flames moving across the top of the building and were able to get out safely.
The fire quickly escalated to a three alarms, but firefighters kept it from spreading to an occupied apartment on one side and an old church on the other.
Crews were able to extinguish the flames around 11 p.m., but it rekindled around 9 a.m. Tuesday.
The shop has been in the area for over 20 years. The owner came to the United States from Italy in 1979.
"It's heartbreaking. This guy is living the American dream. He's been here 20-plus years. He's basically the mayor of this community. He's been helping people out. This guy came here in 1979, didn't speak a lick of English. He built himself up from nothing," Fandry said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it appears to have started on the roof.
"It's bad. The place has been destroyed, but like I said, he's going to come back and it's going to be better than ever. P.C. Auto will always be here servicing the community. That's what he does. That's what he built his reputation on and he's going to come back stronger than ever," Joshua Fandry said.
Up to eight cars were inside at the time and only two were able to be recovered.
"There were quite a few cars inside. We were able to salvage two cars and the other cars that were inside unfortunately, it looks like they're going to be a loss," Fandry said.
The good news is that the building is insured and no one was injured.
"Thank God. I mean, buildings and material possessions can always be replaced. At the end of the day, no life was lost," Fandry said.
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