Brownsville fire kills 1
Ed Riedmann/for the Observer-Reporter
South Brownsville Fire Company Chief Ron Barry said the Pennsylvania state police fire marshal is investigating the fire which was reported about 12:50 a.m. Sunday.
Ed Riedmann/for the Observer-Reporter
One man died and about eight other residents were displaced as the result of an apartment fire in Brownsville early Sunday, according to South Brownsville Fire Company Chief Ron Barry.
One man died and several other residents were displaced as the result of an apartment fire in Brownsville early Sunday.
The deceased man, whose identity was not released as of Sunday afternoon, was a tenant of the top floor of the apartment, said South Brownsville Fire Company Chief Ron Barry, adding that the fire, reported around 12:50 a.m., displaced about eight residents who subsequently received assistance from the American Red Cross.
Located on 2nd Street across from the Brownsville Borough Building, the apartment had an excellent safety record but had an unusual layout that made fighting the fire challenging, Barry said.
Barry also noted that the fire appeared to have a significant head start, adding that it took firefighters roughly an hour for the fire to be quelled enough for internal crews to get to the top floor, where the fire was located.
“It was very, very difficult,” Barry said of the fire. “Very stubborn.”
The fire was contained to the top floor but the rest of the building sustained heavy smoke and water damage, Barry said.
The Pennsylvania state police fire marshal is investigating the fire, Barry said.
South Brownsville Fire Company and fire personnel from North Brownsville, Hiller, West Brownsville, Grindstone, Adah, Republic, Isabella, Denbo, California and Bentleyville responded to the fire, according to Fayette County 911.
Fire rehab and Brownsville Ambulance Services also responded, Barry said, adding that a Salvation Army canteen provided energy bars and refreshments for firefighters and emergency medical service responders.
Barry offered his “sincere thanks” to the firefighters and EMS responders who were on the scene.
“They really gave their all,” Barry said. “It is a terrible tragedy, but it could have been worse.”