Arson ruled in California Manor Fire
Several displaced residents return to their apartments
Last week’s fire at an apartment building in California has been ruled an arson.
Kalee Barnhart, state police public information officer, said Wednesday that the fire was deliberately set and the ongoing investigation will be handled by California Borough Police.
Police Chief Jim Smith said no charges have been filed.
Firefighters from several area departments were called at about 6:20 p.m. March 1 to California Manor, a four-story apartment building with 30 units owned by the Washington County Housing Authority.
One man jumped from the building’s fourth floor and was flown to Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. He is expected to survive injuries he sustained in the jump. A South Brownsville firefighter was taken to an area hospital and treated for smoke inhalation. He has since been released.
Nineteen of the 29 residents displaced by the fire and water damage from the sprinkler system have since returned to their homes. One of the units was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
Stan Shook, deputy executive director of the housing authority, said Wednesday that eight others remain at the Hampton Inn and Suites in California, where they have been living since Monday.
“That is amazing,” Shook said. “The fire chief in California told me when he left the scene at midnight (Friday into Saturday), he didn’t think the building would be occupied for three or four months.”
Shook said four of the eight at the hotel are expected to be moved to another housing authority property in the borough by the end of the week.
“The other four should be moved from the hotel by the end of next week,” he said.
Some of the displaced had been staying at the Convocation Center on the campus of nearby PennWest California University, while the remainder went to live with friends and family.
“We had our staff contact those who were staying with friends and family that hotels would be provided for their stay,” Shook said.
Smith was complimentary of the steps the housing authority took to get people back to their units so quickly.
“Stan’s people were phenomenal,” Smith said. “I told him that I wish some of them were working for me.”
Shook said housing authority maintenance workers from neighboring communities also were on scene at the fire.
Shook credited the Red Cross for its efforts in assisting the residents.
“They were taken very good care of by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross,” he said. “They were amazing. Continental breakfasts were being provided and then lunch and dinner was provided by the Salvation Army.”
The Red Cross will continue to work with affected residents to ensure they have the resources they need to recover, said Nicole Roschella, regional communications director, American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region.
Jamison Roth, emergency management coordinator for California Borough and PennWest California, said many people stepped up to assist.
“We have a group of individuals from our local churches, Rotary (Club) and community people who have come together,” Roth said. “We are going to be organizing a collection of those physical items at the borough building.”
Roth said those efforts are being led by borough residents Lisa Buday and Dax Thomas.
All monetary donations will go to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross.
“That was the chapter that essentially came in here and provided assistance,” Roth said. “They’re also providing long-term assistance to the residents on multiple fronts.”
Roth was impressed with the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by so many in the community.
“Starting after the fire, we had some university folks volunteer and help get the shelter set up and get the Red Cross going,” Roth said, adding that AVI Fresh, the campus food provider, made meals for people at the shelter.
“Those people were supposed to be off for spring break. They came back and volunteered and cooked. Throughout the last four or five days, so many people from the university and the borough stopped up to help. I think it really made a difference. The community came together and it’s really nice to see.”