Family Displaced By Braddock Hills Fire

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BRADDOCK HILLS (KDKA) – A family was forced from their home by an intense fire Tuesday morning.

According to officials at the scene, the fire started in the attic of a home along Fourth Street in Braddock Hills.

The initial call came in around 1 a.m. and flames could be seen shooting from the roof.

A family consisting of three adults, one teenager and their dog were able to safely make it out of the home.

However, the fire chief said the family has lost everything.

"We just have to start from scratch," said homeowner Patricia Ellis.

Firefighters said the family fast asleep, but awoke to some odd sounds coming from the roof.

"I just started screaming for them to get up. We gotta get out. I think the roof is caving in," said Ellis. "We ran out of the house, got in the car and I pulled my car over here and I start seeing smoke all along the edges of the roof."

The water in a nearby fire hydrant froze over, making it difficult for firefighters to use.

Fire officials said the fire hose froze on them and the road kept freezing as they were trying to put the fire out.  Several firefighters kept falling on the ice but no one was hurt.  A Braddock Hills Department of Public Works truck drove up and down the streets putting down salt.

Ellis said the family will be staying with her mother.

"I'm thankful we're safe but it still hurts when you put your hard earned money into trying to have a nice place," said Ellis.  "It's a sad day for us.  It really is. I mean they just have their pajamas on them."

Fortunately, no one was injured.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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