Eight New Kensington residents, including three children, are being helped by the American Red Cross after being displaced by a fire Thursday night.
The three-story building in the 400 block of Fifth Avenue housed two apartments. Two people lived in the apartment on the first floor while six lived on the second.
Fire Chief Ed Saliba said everyone made it out safely. A woman and her son, Wilma and Joseph Thomas, the owners of the house, lived on the first floor.
Wilma Thomas’ granddaughters, Brenna and Jasmine Thomas, lived on the second floor. Living with Brenna Thomas are her two children, ages 5 and 2, and her boyfriend, Saliba said. Jasmine Thomas has a son, 6.
Saliba said they were all staying with family.
Four kittens and two cats were rescued. Three cats were missing.
A New Kensington firefighter was treated at the scene for a minor cut, according to the chief. No other injuries were reported.
Saliba said all five city departments, as well as Lower Burrell and Plum firefighters, responded to the blaze about 9:40 p.m.
Saliba said fire gutted the third floor. There was water and smoke damage to the second floor.
The third floor was unoccupied, which Saliba said was fortunate because flames blocked the only way out.
“We had heavy fire in the third floor on the northern end of the structure,” Saliba said. “They used a ladder truck to open up the roof. We laddered up all four sides (and) had two crews inside.”
Saliba did not speculate as to what may have caused the fire. A state police fire marshal was investigating but could not be reached for comment Friday. It is not considered suspicious, Saliba said.
The family was fully insured, according to the chief.
Saliba commended crews for getting the fire under control in about 27 minutes after being dispatched.
“The volunteer firefighters did one hell of a job of putting this fire out as fast as they did considering what was going on,” Saliba said.
Responders began clearing the scene about 11 p.m.
