Donations sought for families of East Deer apartment fire

A group is collecting donations to assist at least three tenats left homeless when fire destroyed their apartment building late Thursday.

The Western Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Development Center is seeking food, clothes and toiletries, among other items that might help families who lived in the multi-story apartment building along Freeport Road.

“We are in the process of working with the Red Cross and other first responders to get in touch with the families for specific needs,” said Matt Mitcheltree, marketing director of the Penn Hills-based group.

An online donation page will be updated regularly with clothes sizes, household items sought and pet needs.

At least three people lived in the building, according to East Deer Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jack Bailie Jr. The building contained three apartments, two on the top floor and one on the first floor. Bailie did not have the tenants’ names.

When the fire started at about 11:15 p.m., all three were in their respective apartments, the chief said. Dogs and cats also livedin the building, too, Mitcheltree said.

Before firefighters arrived, a woman was trapped in her apartment. Bailie said a man living in one of the other two apartments helped her escape.

The neighbor, who suffered a burned on the back of his head, was the only person injured in the blaze, Bailie said.

Fire departments from Frazer , Tarentum, Springdale and New Kensington helped East Deer put out the flames, which took about 20 minutes, Bailie said.

Springdale firefighters used the department’s aerial truck to assist.

The fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire, Bailie said.

Mitcheltree said his group provided a similar collection in January for 30 families affected by the Rodi Arms fire in Penn Hills. Members raised money to give families a place to stay until they found a home and accepted donations to provide food, clothes and furniture to families as a part of their disaster relief program.

“We would love to help these families as well,” Mitcheltree said. “Everything is appreciated and useful.”

Donations can be made at the office from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays at 1405 Frey Road, Penn Hills, or at wpsardc.org.