NBV fire extinguished in difficult conditions

Cold weather caused much of the water that firefighters were using to freeze right away.

Challenging conditions complicated firefighting efforts Sunday as crews worked to contain a fire involving two structures on Broad Avenue in North Belle Vernon. Quick action by firefighters and borough employees helped ensure everyone escaped safely.

North Belle Vernon Chief Mike Ceccarelli said the call came in around 1:24 p.m. in the 300 block of Broad Avenue involving a duplex that was half occupied by a salon and a neighboring home.

As crews arrived, heavy fire conditions were reported prompting a large mutual aid response. Multiple engines, ladder companies, rescues, tankers and support units were requested to the scene or placed on standby as crews worked to control the fire and protect nearby structures.

Ceccarelli said the fire started on the first floor of the duplex near the back. Half is occupied by a salon and the other side is currently empty. The fire quickly moved throughout the entire duplex before spreading to a home next door.

“When we got there it was a fully involved fire, with flames through the roof and lapping out of the sides,” Ceccarelli said.

North Belle Vernon Mayor Craig Ambrose said borough road crews searched the adjoining property, which is about 6 feet away, as first responders arrived to the scene to confirm no one was in danger.

“Our street department was actually out on a sewage call and were picking up a pump when they saw the fire, so they were able to help people get out of the second house,” Ambrose said.

While no one was trapped inside either building, rescues were made. Ceccarelli said two cats were saved from the adjoining home.

“One was shoved out the door as the owners ran out, and the other we found and returned to them,” he said.

A dog was also reunited with the family, though it is unclear if it was rescued from the building or ran and found away back to its family.

Sunday’s weather conditions didn’t make matters easy for the responding departments. According to the National Weather Service, North Belle Vernon experienced a frigid afternoon with temperatures only reaching the upper teens as an arctic air mass remained in place across the region.

Wind chill values made it feel even colder, and a cold weather advisory remained in effect, underscoring the persistent winter conditions affecting residents and travel throughout the day.

“The water was freezing up on them, creating ice on the ground where they were walking,” Ambrose said. “No question about it, it’s tough.”

One firefighter from lower Belle Vernon was taken to the hospital after slipping on ice, Ceccarelli said. A condition update was not available as of press time.

“When the temperature is like this, it’s tough no matter what,” Cecca- relli said. “Any water we tried to use was freezing, not as we pumped it but on the road, on the stairs going up to the house. It was cold, it was tough and it wasn’t easy for any one of us.”

As the fire was brought under control, Ceccarelli credited the borough road crew for continued support. In addition to helping clear the scene, Ceccarelli said the road crew made sure streets remained safe.

“The road crew helped us a lot, from making sure no one was in the other house to going to the salt shed to grab salt and make sure the roads were all right, spreading salt and everything we needed,” Ceccarelli said.

Despite conditions, more than 100 volunteer firefighters responded.

“I just can’t say enough about our volunteers, not just ours, but all volunteers who showed up for us today, because we are all volunteer,” Ceccarelli said. “No one had to respond to this call, but they did. Having 100 firefighters respond in this kind of weather says a whole lot.”

The fire marshal was called in to investigate, but the blaze is believed to be accidental. The duplex is a total loss and will likely need to be torn down. While the home next door is salvageable, it is not currently habitable.

“It sustained a lot of damage,” Ceccarelli said. “The interior was burnt, and it had a lot of water damage.”

The Red Cross was called to the scene and is assisting that family with temporary placement. In addition to NBV, firefighters from Belle Vernon, Washington Township, Fayette City, California, Monessen No. 1 and Hilltop, Charleroi, Fallowfield, Stockdale, Roscoe and Collinsburg responded. Crews were covered by other agencies including Smithon and Bentleyville.

State police, Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services and Murrysville Medic One also responded to the scene. Other agencies throughout three counties also provided coverage and assistance.

“As fire chief of North Belle Vernon, I would like to thank all my mutual aid companies for their assistance today with the fire on Board Avenue,” Ceccarelli said. “I have said it before, this Valley is second to none when it comes to volunteer firefighters.”