Two Injured as Fire Sweeps Vacant House

Versailles Avenue blaze under investigation; neighboring home sustains heat damage

By Staff Reports
The Tube City Almanac
August 06, 2021
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Two city firefighters sustained burns battling what a McKeesport deputy fire chief called an “aggressive” and “very, very hot” blaze at a vacant home on Versailles Avenue.

McKeesport police and the Allegheny County fire marshal’s office are investigating the fire at 3004 Versailles Ave., which Gene Esken Jr., deputy fire chief, said is suspicious in nature.

“The home has been unoccupied for several years,” he said. “There is no gas service to the house and although the electric meter was attached, there was no one living in the house.”

Allegheny County emergency dispatchers received multiple calls at 9:30 p.m. Thursday about a possible fire in the 3200 block of Versailles Avenue, but crews arrived to find the blaze was actually near the intersection of Versailles and Freemont streets.

When firefighters arrived, Esken said, flames were visible at the first floor at the rear of the home, with fire extending into the second floor and toward the neighboring William H. Craig Funeral Home.

Volunteers from White Oak No. 1, Duquesne Annex, Glassport, Versailles and Liberty Borough also responded to the scene.

Rainbow firefighters were initially held on standby at the Renzie Park station, but were called to the scene to supplement weary crews who battled what Esken termed a “very stubborn” fire for more than an hour.

Allegheny County Airport firefighters also responded to the scene.

County property records indicate the home was built in 1910.

The two-and-a-half story house is of what’s commonly called “balloon-frame” wood construction, Esken said.

“Once it gets into the walls, it gets into the dormers and the soffit and fascia behind the box gutters, and then you’re just chasing it,” he said. After attacking the initial fire, crews focused on protecting the funeral home and a home at 3006 Versailles Ave., on the other side of the vacant house, Esken said.

The fire was declared under control just before 11 p.m., but crews remained on the scene until 2 a.m. Friday, Esken said.

Police and the fire marshal’s office used a dog to search for traces of accelerant, he said.

Two city firefighters suffered second-degree burns to parts of their faces but did not require hospitalization, Esken said.

The funeral home did not suffer any damage, but the home at 3006 Versailles Ave. suffered exterior heat damage to its siding, he said.

The vacant home will likely be a total loss, Esken said.

Volunteer firefighters from Dravosburg and Fire Department of North Versailles were on standby for McKeesport Fire Department.

Originally published August 06, 2021.

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