Cause of Harrison house fire 'undetermined,' fire marshal says
The cause of a fire that destroyed an empty house on Spruce Street in Harrison’s Natrona neighborhood last week remains undetermined, according to the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office.
The fire at 51 Spruce St. was reported around 1 a.m. Aug. 16.
No one was hurt, and firefighters prevented it from spreading to neighboring homes, including Conrad Zylinski’s house.
Zylinski, who has lived in his home for 28 years, saw two buildings on the other side of his house burned down more than a decade ago. Firefighters were able to spare his home that time, too.
The house that burned this time had been vacant for several years.
Harrison police said the investigation was handed over to the fire marshal.
“All interviews have been compiled, but we were unable to search the scene any further due to collapse of the roof into the first floor,” Chief Fire Marshal Matt Brown said through a county spokeswoman. “The scene is too unsafe to proceed.”
No other information was provided.
What was left of the house that was still standing was knocked down last week, but the rubble remains on the property. The property owner is now responsible for removing it, township code enforcement Officer Floyd “Bucky” Taraszewski said.
If the owner does not act, Taraszewski said, the township will remove the debris and attempt to recoup the cost from the owner.
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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