Fire damage cleanup keeps some Parnassus Manor residents out of apartments for 2nd night

More than a dozen residents of Parnassus Manor in New Kensington who were put out of their apartments by a fire Wednesday will be able to return Friday afternoon, a representative of the Westmoreland County Housing Authority said Thursday.

The 15 affected residents live on the second floor of the seven-story high-rise. A fire broke out in the kitchen of an apartment on the second floor shortly before 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

They were being kept out of their apartments for a second night while contractors worked to repair and clean the floor from smoke and water, the housing authority representative said.

The American Red Cross initially helped nine of the 15 second-floor residents with shelter, clothing, food and other immediate needs, spokeswoman Lisa Landis said. The authority said six chose to stay with family and friends.

The number of displaced residents being helped by the Red Cross later increased to 14 after more called for help, Landis said. She did not expect that number to increase any further.

Another resident of the second floor is currently out of state, while another unit there was vacant.

New Kensington fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. said the fire was caused by oil that had been left in a pan on a stove. Saliba said a man forgot he had turned the stove on, and left his apartment to do laundry.

“It flashed and that’s what set the kitchen on fire,” Saliba said.

Firefighters contained the fire to the one apartment, where the kitchen was destroyed.

The damage to the apartment was being assessed and turned over to the housing authority’s insurance carrier, authority Executive Director Mike Washowich said.

Three residents were taken to a hospital, two with smoke inhalation and one suffering a heart-related issue. Saliba could not update their conditions Thursday.

The entire building was evacuated as firefighters worked to put out the fire. Firefighters had it under control in about 30 minutes and were at the scene for about four hours, Saliba said.

Residents of the third through seventh floors were let back in Wednesday. Washowich said equipment was brought in to remove smoke, and the air was tested to be sure it was safe.