PA Firefighters Hurt in Fatal House Blaze

A man died Tuesday night after a fire ripped through what officials believe was his Forward Township home.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries while working to put out the flames engulfing the two-story house on Morgan Run Road, near where Allegheny and Westmoreland counties meet, officials said.

Allegheny County 9-1-1 dispatchers received a call about flames and smoke at the residence shortly after 5:30 p.m.

Fire crews arrived at 5:44 p.m. to confront a “heavy fire,” with the flames threatening to spread to neighboring homes, Allegheny County Chief Fire Marshal Matthew J. Brown said. Emergency medical service workers, firefighters and police responded from Allegheny as well as Westmoreland counties.

Initially, officials thought no one was inside the burning home, Brown said.

Firefighters began to battle the fire from the interior, but then the second floor began to sag and presented a threat, Brown said. All crews were told to evacuate.

“Upon re-entry, one victim was found on the first floor,” Brown said.

The victim was not immediately identified.

One firefighter was treated on scene for a burned ear. A second firefighter had asthma issues and was taken to a nearby hospital.

Officials have not yet determined what caused the fire or where it started.

The American Red Cross is assisting.

County fire officials and the medical examiner’s office are investigating.

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