Tree Falls Onto House In Shaler Township, Significant Damage Reported

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

SHALER TOWNSHIP (KDKA) - A massive tree fell onto the roof of a home in Shaler Township during Friday's high winds.

According to the Undercliff Volunteer Fire Department, just after 7:30 a.m., crews arrived at the home in 300 block of Belladonna Drive. They found a large tree crushing the roof of Erika Schaltenbrand's house.

"All of this can be replaced," she said. "We're here."

That's what mattered most to Schaltenbrand.

Thankfully, she and her son, Joey, were able to escape their house without injury. They had to escape from the garage because debris blocked the door.

The house wasn't quite so lucky though. It is going to take more than six months for full repairs to be done. It will also cost more than $80,000, though insurance will cover most of the costs and provide the family with housing.

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"I just heard kind of a creaking," said Schaltenbrand. "I wasn't sure exactly what it was, and then it became pretty apparent. It got louder and louder, and I knew the tree was coming down."

She was in the living room while Joey was in his bedroom.

Their first thoughts: to rescue one another.

"I screamed his name and when I heard his voice, I knew he was okay," said Schaltenbrand. "Everything else was just, get out of the house."

• PHOTO GALLERY: Click here for a closer look at some of the damage.

"I had to run through that hallway where the tree was falling down," said Joey. "It already had fallen down, but debris was coming down so I had to meet her in the living room and go down to the garage."

Erika says it was tough to get out, but they received help from their neighbors.

"Luckily, my in-laws live right around the corner," said Schaltenbrand. "So, we'll be down there, and we'll do whatever we have to."