Warehouse fire ruled arson
By Patty Yauger Herald-Standard CONNELLSVILLE – Police investigators have ruled the cause of an Aug. 5 fire that destroyed a warehouse as undetermined.
City police Chief Ed McSheffery said Thursday investigators were unable to pinpoint the exact location of the blaze, therefore an exact cause could not be determined.
Thursday afternoon workers were sifting through the debris to locate viable equipment as street department horses blocked access to the 117 W. Peach St. building.
“It is going to have to come down,” said McSheffery.
A dozen fire companies were dispatched before dawn to the blaze where 60 firefighters battled the fire for nearly an hour to bring it under control.
“We were spraying at least 5,000 gallons of water per minute for the first hour,” said New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Co. Chief Bob Topper, as he noted the quantity of cardboard and plastic products, along with equipment and merchandise in the building that was destroyed.
Gary Tedesco is listed as the building owner. B.T. Brake Sales Inc., owned by William K. Tedesco, also lists the property as its place of business.
Police said that the Tedescos stored brake shoes and mining equipment in the building.
At one time, the warehouse and adjoining residence served as a storage facility and office for Gatling’s, an auto parts store.