No one injured in 2-alarm fire at Harrison apartment building

Crews battled a fire Sunday evening at a multi-unit apartment building in the Natrona Heights section of Harrison. One unit was occupied, but no injuries were reported.

Hilltop Hose Company responded to the two-alarm fire at 1257 Eighth Ave., which ignited about 5:50 p.m.

Hilltop Chief Jeff Balog said firefighters were able to extinguish the flames in about 45 minutes. He said the fire stemmed from the building’s first floor, which contains a wood shop. There are an additional four apartment units above the first floor.

Balog said an elderly woman lives in one of the units, but she was uninjured.

Harrison police Sgt. Justin Bouch said the elderly woman was outside at the time. Another occupant of the building was not home.

After Hilltop Hose Company responded, it was assisted by fire companies from Tarentum and Brackenridge, Balog said. A block of Eighth Avenue, between Jersey Avenue and Mile Lock Lane, was shut down for more than two hours Sunday evening.

Balog said the structure of the building appears salvageable. He said it is unclear what started the blaze.

“We are going to work with the fire marshals, and the cause of the fire is under investigation,” he said.

Balog said the American Red Cross is providing assistance to the building’s tenants.