Investigators probe cause of destructive Monessen fire

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

A heavy house fire on McKee Avenue in Monessen that endangered local firefighters Thursday night has displaced a local family.

Monessen Municipal Fire Chief Delmar Hepple said crews were called out around 10:30 p.m. for a porch fire, but it quickly escalated. 

“When crews arrived on scene there was a heavy fire, and smoke, in the rear of the house,” Hepple said. 

When crews first went in to extinguish the blaze, they quickly had to be called out when the roof began to collapse. 

After firefighters began to attack the blaze with water a second time, fireworks began shooting off inside the home and crews were called to evacuate a second time.

“We couldn’t put them into harm’s way,” Hepple said. “It was a difficult fire. I’m happy everyone is safe; it was not an easy one.”

Hepple said a couple who lived in the home called the fire in and were able to safely evacuate before firefighters arrived. 

Because of the structure of the home, the fire quickly moved from the porch to its upper levels. 

While the fire was contained within two hours, crews remained on scene until after 2 a.m. 

“The balloon-frame house and the way it was built, caused the fire to spread,” Hepple said. 

Although the home suffered extensive fire, water and smoke damage, no injuries were reported. 

Hepple said he spent two hours with the state fire marshal on Friday investigating.

“A cause had not been determined,” he said. “We are currently looking at area surveillance video to see how the fire progressed and where it escalated.”

Monessen No. 1 and Monessen Hilltop fire departments were assisted by Charleroi, North Belle Vernon, Carroll Township and Webster. Monessen police and Mon Valley EMS also helped out at the scene. 

The Salvation Army and American Red Cross were also on hand to offer aid to first responders and the family.