Tree Slams Into Etna Apartment Building, Forces Evacuations

ETNA (KDKA) - At least six apartments were evacuated after a tree slammed into an Etna apartment building early Tuesday morning.

Around 1 a.m., police responded to a call for a tree that broke some windows at the apartment complex on Butler Street.

"Officers found a significant tree," said Etna Fire Chief Greg Porter.  "Forty to 50 feet long, at least one foot in diameter. It slid completely off of the hillside behind the apartments, roots and all."

The tree slammed into the roof and back wall of the apartment building, heavily damaging one apartment and leaving minor damage behind in two other apartments.

Chief Porter said there was one man inside the apartment with the heaviest damage at the time of the incident.

"Fortunately, he was in the living area, towards the front of the apartment, and not in the bedroom," he said.

Six apartments on the second floor were evacuated as crews had to shut off utilities to the building.

There was significant damage to the building's back wall and roof. Chief Porter wants the owner of the apartment building to call the insurance company and bring out a structural engineer before anyone is allowed to return inside.

The American Red Cross is helping out three adults from the apartment complex. The Red Cross will meet with other residents later today to determine what assistance they may need.

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