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Police seek pickup driver in Belvedere Hotel fire investigation | TribLIVE.com
Valley News Dispatch

Police seek pickup driver in Belvedere Hotel fire investigation

Brian C. Rittmeyer
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Pennsylvania State Police
State police want to find the driver of this pickup, seen in the area of the Belvedere Hotel in Oklahoma Borough on July 23, 2019.
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Mary Ann Thomas | Tribune-Review
The remains of the former Belvedere Hotel in Oklahoma Borough after fire destroyed the historic building on Wednesday, July 24, 2019.

State police want to find the driver of a pickup seen in the area of the Belvedere Hotel in Oklahoma Borough before it was destroyed by fire July 23.

State police said on Twitter that a Dodge Ram made between 1999 and 2002 was seen in the area shortly before the fire started around 11:30 p.m. that day.

“We are hoping the driver has information to help us,” state police said.

Anyone who can help identify the vehicle is asked to contact state police at 724-832-3288.

Earlier this month, state police said they wanted to talk with two people who were captured on a security camera walking near the hotel.

A state police spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment on the status of the search for those people.

The historic four-story hotel had been vacant and in disrepair for years. It was destroyed in only 10 minutes in a fire that authorities described as suspicious.

Details of a cleanup plan will be released to the public on Thursday, according to Lee Schumaker, code enforcement officer for Oklahoma Borough.

Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.

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Categories: Local | Valley News Dispatch
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