Firefighters battle blaze, hoarding at New Kensington home

Fire crews spent about three hours Wednesday battling a blaze at a home in the 40 Acres neighborhood of New Kensington that had heavy hoarding conditions, according to city Fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr.

Volunteer fire departments from numerous Alle-Kiski Valley towns — including New Kensington, Arnold, Lower Burrell, Plum and Tarentum — were dispatched to the 2000 block of Richdale Drive around 5:30 p.m.

A woman who lives in the residence noticed the fire when she returned home from work, Saliba said. Fire crews arrived on scene within three minutes of the call to 911.

“The hoarding conditions were terrible,” he said. “We could not open the front door or the back door.”

Strong winds Wednesday evening worsened the fire, Saliba said.

The woman was taken to a local hospital in stable condition by New Kensington ambulance, he said.

A firefighter sustained a minor knee injury that was addressed by medics on scene.

“I can’t say enough good about how hard our volunteer firefighters worked tonight,” he said. “They did an outstanding job.”

The state police fire marshal is investigating, Saliba said, but it appears the cause was accidental.

The smoke alarms in the home were not working, he said. Saliba encouraged residents to check that their devices are functioning properly.

A support group for those dealing with hoarding issues is held by the Hoarding Alliance of Westmoreland County. The group meets at the Norwin Chamber of Commerce. To contact the support group, call 724-739-3785.