Fire Displaces 14 Families In Ross Township

ROSS TOWNSHIP (KDKA) - More than a dozen families were displaced by a fire at a Ross Township apartment building.

The fire started just before midnight at the Perry Arms apartments on Perry Highway.

"We smelled smoke," said neighbor Bethany Hallam. "We didn't think it was anything at first, then police officers were knocking on the doors telling everyone to get out."

The officers had to help a man inside the apartment on fire get out of the building. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The fire marshal is investigating the cause, but neighbors are pretty sure they know what caused it.

"There was a grease fire on the stove," said Hallam. "I guess it couldn't be contained, a couple of neighbors were throwing buckets of water on it, but it wasn't going out."

Building manager Ken Basaker said there are 14 apartments in the building. While the fire was contained to just one unit, no one can currently stay in the building.

Utilities have all been shut off, but repairs will be made.

"It's going to be done as quickly as possible," Basaker said. "We really don't know until we get into each apartment to see what the smoke damage is. That's the biggest factor. A lot of them might not have water damage on that side, but they do all have smoke damage."

A total of 14 families were displaced by the fire. They are being helped by the American Red Cross.

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