Monessen fire departments battle 3rd blaze in a week
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
Monessen Municipal Fire Chief Delmar Hepple said his crews and those providing mutual aid have been hard at work recently battling blazes in the city.
He’s proud to say the firefighters under his command are doing an excellent job, and have stayed out of harm’s way while fighting three fires in the past week.
The most recent blaze happened Monday afternoon at a home at 10 Delrose Drive. The chief said firefighters from both Monessen stations, as well as those from Charleroi, Carroll Township, Donora, North Belle Vernon and Bentleyville volunteer fire departments, were able to put the fire out quickly.
“A female resident returned home from being out and was greeted by heavy black smoke coming from the house,” Hepple said of Monday’s fire, adding that the woman, who he didn’t identify, called her two dogs out of the house and immediately called 911.
Hepple said no one — including the dogs — was injured Monday, but that one of the dogs ran away as firefighters arrived and the owner was still searching for the dog as of Monday night.
A photo circulating on Facebook and shared by Monessen Hilltop Volunteer Fire Department, states that the dog, whose name is Ember, has two tags on her collar and is not mean.
If found, call 724-433-8286. The dog is reportedly friendly, but may be afraid.
The chief said firefighters were able to contain the blaze to one bedroom and part of a hallway. A state police fire marshal is investigating.
Hepple said he believes part of the reason crews were able to contain the fire and put it out quickly was because the bedroom door was closed.
He advises people to sleep with their bedroom doors closed, and said taking that minor action can prevent a fire from spreading and potentially save lives and property.
He said both Monessen fire stations and their mutual aid departments have been “very busy” lately, pointing out that firefighters have battled three blazes in the city in just the past week.
“That’s a busy week for anyone,” the chief said. “Luckily nobody got hurt. The guys are doing a good job.”
To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Tuesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.
