14-year-old girl dies in West Deer house fire

Authorities who responded Thursday morning to a two-alarm house fire in West Deer were unable to get inside to rescue a teenage girl because the flames were too intense and part of the building had collapsed, officials said. The girl, identified by her father as 14-year-old Dayanna Shaffer, reported the fire by calling 911 about 9:15 a.m. She was pronounced dead after being found in a first-floor bathroom.

“She was the sweetest girl in the world. She’s gone. She was the most innocent thing you’ve ever seen,” said her father Brian Shaffer, sobbing.

Dayanna Shaffer was an eighth-grader at Deer Lakes Middle School, where she played flute in the school band, and she had three sisters and a brother, according to her father.

Superintendent Janell Logue-Belden in a Thursday statement said the district will provide support and care for students and staff beginning Friday. That will take place through teleconferencing.

“Our heart is broken for the young lady, her family and everyone who knew her,” Logue-Belden said.

Brian Shaffer of Middlesex said his daughter lived at the Shepard Road house with his ex-wife. The teen had been home alone with her dog, Nessie, when the fire broke out. The long-haired dachshund also is believed to have died in the fire.

It’s unknown what caused the fire.

West Deer police Chief Jon Lape said the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office and county detectives are investigating.

Lape said two of his department’s officers were the first to arrive at the burning house.

“The officers were here within four minutes,” Lape said. “When they pulled up, there was fire visible in the front and on the right side (of the house), and there was smoke pouring out of all the eaves.”

West Deer No. 3 fire Chief Josh Wiegand said part of the home had collapsed.

Police and firefighters tried to get inside, but the flames were too intense, officials said.

“They just could not go in,” Lape said.

“It’s heartbreaking to lose anyone, but when it’s a young person … it’s tough,” Lape said, his voice breaking.