By Michael DiVittorio

Published: Friday, January 25, 2013, 4:56 a.m.
Updated: Friday, January 25, 2013

Irwin firefighters saved a cat and a dog from a burning building along Tenth Street on Thursday morning.

Fire Chief Shawn Stitely said a neighbor reported smoke coming from the back of a house at 1220 Tenth St. around 9:30 a.m.

Police reported a fully engulfed house fire shortly after receiving that call.

No injuries were reported.

Ron Padolf said he received a picture of the house via text message when firefighters extinguished the blaze, and he rushed to the scene.

Padolf said his sister, Susie Zigerelli, lived in the mid-century modern-style house.

“The fire is still under investigation through Irwin Fire Department, Irwin police and the state police fire marshal,” Stitely said. “It's a multi-level single-family residential (dwelling). I would say it's a total loss. We saved a dog and a cat and there's one cat that's missing.”

North Irwin, South Greensburg and North Huntingdon Township firefighters also responded.

Stitely said the fire is believed to have started in the living room on the main level. The cause has not been determined.

Stitely said firefighters put out the flames within 35 to 40 minutes, and the freezing temperatures did not impact fighting the fire.

“Besides (cold) bodies, everything went well ... no delays of getting water, a lot of mutual aid from other companies,” Stitely said. “Everyone responded. Everyone did a great job. There were no issues.”

Michael DiVittorio is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1965, or mdivittorio@tribweb.com.

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