Watch CBS News

Lawrenceville Microburst Collapses Multiple Buildings, Knocks Out Power

LAWRENCEVILLE (KDKA) -- Two buildings in Lawrenceville collapsed due to storm damage caused by a microburst that tore through an eight-block radius Saturday evening.

lawrenceville-building-collapse
Photo Credit: Leann Salerno

"It appears there was some sort of really violent weather system that rolled through here," said Pittsburgh Police Public Information Officer Cara Cruz.

"From looking at the trajectory of debris, it looks like it went from north to south. We have two partial building collapses, one at 48th and Butler, and one at Butler and Plummer Street. We also have a lot of uprooted trees, some of them very large, in the Allegheny Cemetary."

Winds knocked down trees and took down electricity for hundreds of customers. On Sunday morning, nearly 2,000 people are still without power.

Jimmy Coen owns one of the properties that collapsed and was in the process of renovating it

"I'm shocked, I'm totally shocked," he said.

lawrenceville building collapse
(Photo Credit: Ashton Zanecki)

A billboard was blown into the roof, but he's glad no one was inside working when it happened.

"My wife said maybe its a sign from God that I should just sell it," Coen added.

WATCH: Microburst In Millvale Causes Utility Pole To Collapse

The microburst also caused a utility pole in Millvale to fall, causing sparks as it hit the ground.

Multiple roads shut down in Millvale as the area saw substantial damage as well.

Road closures: Be advised, due to the heavy storm that hit our area, power outages and road closures are in place with...

Posted by Millvale Borough Police Department on Saturday, August 17, 2019

Millvale Borough Police Department said the heavy storm closed roads and created power outages.

millvale borough storm damage
(Photo Credit: Millvale Borough Police Department/Facebook)

They say they can't yet tell when repairs will be made.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.