Fire started by candle causes heavy damage to Millvale house

A Millvale house was heavily damaged by a fire early Friday morning that authorities said was probably started by a candle.

Firefighters from 10 departments responded to the blaze at 144 Logan St. shortly after 5 a.m. and were on the scene for more than 2 1/2 hours, said Millvale Deputy Fire Chief Jim Tunstall.

No injuries were reported.

“We had good water pressure, but it was a difficult fire to fight because of the location,” he said. “Thankfully, the crews that were first on the scene were able to get in there quickly and knock down most of the fire.”

The house where the fire erupted is along a steep, narrow, dead-end street above St. Nicholas Church that is so tight in some areas only one vehicle can pass at a time.

Tunstall said most of the fire damage was contained to the first floor, “but there is smoke and water damage throughout and the windows were knocked out.”

While the house could be repaired, it is not habitable in its current condition, said Tunstall, who also serves as the borough’s building inspector.

“The homeowner will be boarding it up to secure the property and will then have to decide what he plans to do with it,” Tunstall said.

The Allegheny County Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire, but Tunstall said it does not appear to be suspicious.

The home, which is not insured, was in the process of being remodeled.

The Red Cross was notified, but Tunstall did not know whether the homeowner, whose name was not released, is utilizing their services.