Damaged electrical cord cited as source of Tarentum high-rise fire

A damaged electrical cord attached to a portable heater caused Wednesday afternoon’s fire in an apartment on the top floor of a Tarentum high-rise, according to the Allegheny County Department of Emergency Services.

The fire at Rachel Carson Hall, reported shortly before 2:30 p.m., was ruled accidental, emergency services Chief Matt Brown said Thursday.

It was contained to an apartment on the eighth floor of the Allegheny County Housing Authority building. That unit was destroyed, said Sgt. Ed Mogus of the housing authority’s police department.

While fire officials at the scene said no one had been hurt, Brown said a building maintenance worker suffered smoke inhalation.

“We were blessed that there weren’t any serious injuries,” Mogus said, praising firefighters’ efforts. “It could have been a lot worse.”

Of the building’s 60 apartments, 55 were occupied, with 62 people living there.

Although fire officials initially believed most of the building’s residents would return Wednesday, that did not happen because the building’s elevators and fire safety systems were not working, Mogus said. The front doors were chained shut Thursday.

Mogus said the Red Cross helped find lodging for residents in area hotels. The agency said it was helping about 50 people.

Mogus said residents of the first through fifth floors, and some on six, would be able to return Friday. It’s not known when those living on the seventh and eighth floors would be able to return. Mogus said those living on the top floor would be out the longest.

Mogus said the fire caused an estimated $400,000 worth of damage. Restoration crews were working on the building Thursday. He could not say how long repairs might take.

The first five floors are habitable, while two apartments on the sixth floor had minor water damage, Mogus said. On the seventh floor, five units were moderately damaged by water.

On the eighth floor, where the fire was located, the hallway was blackened, Mogus said. Adjoining apartments had smoke and water damage.

Resident losses were yet to be determined, as many had yet to return to their homes. Mogus said he believes damage to personal possessions will be minimal. He said tenants are encouraged to have renters insurance, but it is not required.