Rostraver home badly damaged during fire

By Kaylie Moore
kmoore@yourmvi.com
A Washington Township firefighter was transported to an area hospital following a Rostraver Township house fire Wednesday morning.
The unidentified firefighter was alert and talking to paramedics while being loaded into a Rostraver West Newton Emergency Medical Services ambulance just before 10 a.m.
Rostraver Township police Officer Martin Palla said the firefighter’s transport was “just a precautionary measure,” and he is expected to be “completely fine.”
Emergency crews were dispatched around 9:20 a.m. to the blaze at 16 Jean St. in Rostraver Township.
Palla said initial reports of possible entrapment were determined to be false.
“The home was in the process of being remodeled,” Palla said. “There is nobody living there at this time.”
Palla said crews were able to extinguish the flames in about 10 minutes, but the damage is “still pretty bad” inside. The fire’s cause is still under investigation.
West Penn Power arrived just after 10 a.m. to shut off electricity to the home.
Firefighters were seen removing pieces of siding from the home’s exterior and operating a ventilation apparatus.
Rostraver Central Fire Department is leading the investigation. Rostraver No. 1 Webster, North Belle Vernon, Washington Township, Collinsburg, Sutersville, Belle Vernon borough, Monessen Hilltop, Monessen No. 1, West Newton and Carroll Township fire departments assisted at the scene.