Fatal Waynesburg fire ruled accidental
WAYNESBURG – Investigating police officers have ruled a fire accidental that erupted in the Avalon Court apartment building in Waynesburg in April and claimed the lives of two women. Waynesburg police Chief Tim Hawfield said Thursday that the criminal investigation of the fire officially concluded earlier this week after investigating officers had completed their final interviews.
“The investigation has led us to the conclusion that there is no indication or suspicion that criminal activity played a role in the fire,” Hawfield said. “The fire was accidental in nature. From a police standpoint, there is nothing more to investigate.”
The early morning fire on April 22 at the 40-unit apartment complex started on the top floor of the three-story brick building, which also housed the Greene County Housing Authority’s offices. In the aftermath of the fire, authorities reported that two tenants, Patricia A. Eddy, 61, and Velma Morris, 77, died as a result of the fire.
Eddy was pronounced dead at the scene after the fire was extinguished. An autopsy conducted the next day determined the cause of death to be carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation, according to reports.
Morris died April 28 in UPMC-Mercy hospital in Pittsburgh, where she was taken following the fire. An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be carbon monoxide poisoning and inhalation injuries, officials stated.
Six other residents were taken to Southwest Regional Medical Center in Waynesburg for treatment of injuries following the blaze, according to reports.
Hawfield said while the cause of ignition remains unknown, the investigation determined that fire started in the kitchen area of Eddy’s apartment, located on the third floor of the building.
State police fire marshals from Troop B in Washington continued to assist borough police throughout the investigation, Hawfield said.
Firefighters responded from numerous volunteer fire companies to extinguish the blaze.
Officials said the fire started in Eddy’s apartment and spread into an area between the ceiling and the roof and then ran the entire length of the building in the space between the ceiling and roof. Fire damage was extensive on the third floor and water and smoke heavily damaged the entire building. It took firefighters 30 to 45 minutes to rescue the residents from the building while other firefighters battled the fire.
Hawfield commended the efforts of those who provided assistance during the ordeal. He praised the “life-saving” efforts of the firefighters, as well as borough patrolmen Robert Toth and Bill Nichols for their efforts in rescuing residents who were trapped on the third floor during the blaze, He also recognized the state Department of Transportation for the “thankless job” of maintaining traffic control as firefighters battled the blaze.
In addition, Hawfield commended state police and Cumberland Township police officers and the Greene County sheriff’s and detective’s offices for their assistance, as well as the many people, agencies and businesses that offered services or donations.
Meanwhile, county officials recently reported that 16 former residents of the apartment building have been relocated to other housing and four more residents are expected to be housed by the middle of the month, bringing the total number of relocated residents to 20.
Officials said they are actively seeking housing for the 23 other tenants who were displaced following the fire.
As residents relocate, the Greene County Housing Authority, which owned and operated Avalon Court, will buy blankets, sheets, pillows and bed frames using the money that was donated to a fund for the fire victims. The housing authority also is distributing mattresses and box springs that were provided by the Red Cross.
Community Action Southwest is distributing household items and cleaning supplies collected through a drive at the Waynesburg Wal-Mart, and the Salvation Army Greene County Service Center is providing 22 kitchen items for each resident. Through donations from the community, the center is able to give every resident items ranging from pots and pans to dishware, crockpots, toasters and salt and pepper shakers.
In addition to the residents, the housing authority was also displaced from its main office on the first floor of Avalon Court. In the next few weeks, the housing authority will relocate to the former Movie Gallery site in Widewaters Commons, 55 Sugar Run Rd., Waynesburg.
Donations are still being accepted to assist the victims through a fund at Community Bank. Checks may be made payable to Avalon Court Fire Victims Fund or the Greene County Housing Authority. Monetary donations will be accepted at any Community Bank branch or at the housing authority’s temporary office at the Grandview Drive housing complex in Waynesburg. They also be mailed to the Housing Authority of the County of Greene, P.O. Box 791, Waynesburg, PA 15370. For more information, call 724-627-6523.
Meanwhile, the Messenger learned that former Avalon Court resident Samantha Brown was recently reunited with her cat, Cuddles, after the animal was found alive two weeks after the fire.
“I don’t know how she survived,” said Brown, who thought she had lost her pet in the fire. “I was in complete shock.”
The two were reunited at the Super 8 motel in Waynesburg, where Brown is currently staying while she awaits permanent housing. The cat was given a clean bill of health.