2 McKeesport teens honored for response to apartment fire
Michael Armstrong III and Amere Turner alerted residents before first responders arrived.
At Wednesday’s meeting, McKeesport council members and Mayor Thomas Maglicco recognized two young city residents who provided assistance during an apartment fire last month.
On April 15, Michael Armstrong III and Amere Turner both noticed a fire in a nearby apartment building in the city’s Seventh Ward. They tried to get into the building to alert the residents, but once they realized they couldn’t, they started banging on windows and doors to alert the people inside.
Armstrong and Turner helped a sleeping resident escape the burning building before first responders arrived.
On Wednesday, council recognized both Armstrong and Turner for their bravery and quick reaction. Turner wasn’t able to attend the meeting, but Armstrong was there with his parents, Nakia Bracey and Michael Armstrong II.
“What Michael and Amere did that day, waking that lady up, they saved her life,” fire Chief Kevin Kovach said. “I don’t want to downplay it at all. Our guys were able to fight the fire, which was bad enough, but didn’t have to go put our resources in rescuing the lady.
“Two 18-year-old kids did what a lot of other people weren’t doing up there, and they show you what McKeesport Tigers are all about.”
Armstrong and Turner were also recognized with a citation from the state House through Rep. Dan Goughnour’s office.
“I just had to make something happen to make sure nobody was in trouble or nobody was hurt, and I’m just thanking God,” Armstrong said.
Bracey and Michael Armstrong II said they were very proud of what their son did and that it perfectly portrayed the type of person he is.
“He’s a good kid at home. He has always been a good kid,” Bracey said. “So I get phone calls a lot from teachers saying how well he’s doing. So I’m very proud.”
Michael Armstrong II reiterated Bracey’s message.
“It’s a great accomplishment, something I didn’t expect,” Michael Armstrong II said. “It took a lot of courage to run into that building for what I saw, and as dad, it took a lot for me to do it, too. I’m very shocked, and I’m happy he helped somebody.”
DCNR grant
Council voted unanimously to apply for a $500,000 grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to make some improvements to the Renziehausen Park tennis complex.
According to Maglicco, the city already has another half a million for the improvements in the park from the Allegheny County Regional Asset District. Maglicco said that they plan to use the funds to fix some of the asphalt on the tennis complex.
“There’s breaking of the asphalt; it’s caused by the sun, and it heats up, and old slag gets underneath there,” Maglicco said. “This will allow us to dig that out, put in three pickleball courts, three tennis courts, new lighting. This will be really a gem for all to participate with. We’re always excited about projects at Renzie Park.”
Maglicco added that they are planning to make additional upgrades at the park to the baseball complex and the fish pond area.
In other business:
• Council adopted the Allegheny County 2026 hazard mitigation plan as the official plan for the city.
• Council approved entering into an agility agreement with PennDOT.
