2 firefighters overcome by heat at Pa. vacant house fire

By Rossilynne Skena
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review

ARNOLD, Pa. — Two Arnold firefighters were taken to the hospital suffering heat exhaustion after batting a smoky fire on Saturday afternoon at a vacant Fourth Avenue house.

Both firefighters were expected to be treated and released from Allegheny Valley Hospital, Arnold Fire Chief J.C. Tedorski said.

Many firefighters were treated at the scene for heat-related issues, as the temperature reached the mid-80s.

The electric was connected to the house and the state police fire marshal was called to investigate and determine the cause of the fire, Tedorski said.

The two-story house, at 1422 Fourth Ave., sits about 20 feet back from the street. It was destroyed by the fire, Tedorski said.

The fire call came in around 2:45 p.m. Saturday, and it took crews about an hour and 40 minutes to extinguish it.

"I arrived probably 15 seconds after we got the call," Tedorski said. "I was a block away and saw the smoke before we got the call. It was fully involved when I got here."

Firefighters quickly knocked down the flames and searched the building to make sure there was no one inside.

"Our major obstacle today was the heat," he said.

Fire crews from Arnold, Lower Burrell, New Kensington No. 1 and No. 2, Frazer and Lower Kiski EMS responded.

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