Two people escape city fire
CONNELLSVILLE – Two people escaped unharmed from an early Saturday morning fire that heavily damaged their West Apple Street apartment building, which also had a hair and tanning salon on the first floor. City police and state police fire marshals are investigating the cause of the fire that started just after 2 a.m. at 123 W. Apple St. and kept firefighters busy at the scene until 2 p.m.
The three-story brick building owned by Robert and Robin McLaughlin of Scottdale had Karen’s Hair Fashions on the first floor and apartments on the upper floors.
Police Sgt. Ronald Haggerty said two people managed to get out of one of the apartments without injury after the fire started.
Haggerty said the cause of the stubborn fire is under investigation.
The fire spread to beams in the basement, making it difficult for firefighters to extinguish, he said.
The view through the front of the building reveals that part of the first floor collapsed.
Haggerty said investigators would return to the building to try to pinpoint the cause after accumulated water drains from the basement.
The McLaughlins were at the scene Saturday afternoon, but declined to comment on the fire.
New Haven Hose, Scottdale and Connellsville Township volunteer fire departments and Fayette EMS responded to the alarm along with police.
Fires in Connellsville have occurred much less frequently since more than 20 arsons were set during 2004 and 2005.
Two juveniles, along with Harvey Upton and Harry Collins, all of Connellsville, were convicted in connection with the string of arsons.
Upton, 36, was convicted on charges of arson and risking a catastrophe after setting fire to his Sycamore Street residence on Oct. 22, 2004.
The teens were held responsible for setting fire to the Connellsville Area School District football stadium on Dec. 7, 2004.
Collins, 58, was found guilty of arson and risking a catastrophe in the Feb. 23, 2005, fire at the Wesley United Methodist Church and the Aug. 16, 2004, fire at the 1116 Race St. home of Margaret Lewellen.
A jury acquitted Collins of setting fires at the Pujia Hair Salon on June 27, 2004, and a 407 S. Arch St. residence on Nov. 29, 2004.