Swift-moving fire engulfs building in Leechburg

No injuries were reported in a swift-moving fire at a commercial structure in Leechburg on Friday.

The blaze at Metco Supply Inc., 81 Kiski Ave., was reported just after 5 p.m.

Leechburg Volunteer Fire Co. Chief John Foster said it took longer than he was hoping to attack the fire.

“We couldn’t establish a good water supply,” Foster said. “It took us about 20 minutes to get a water source going with some of the hydrants down here.”

Happening now: Crews battle a working structure fire Friday around 5:36 p.m. on Siberian Avenue and Kiski Avenue in Leechburg. ⁦@VNDNews⁩ ⁦@TribLIVE⁩ pic.twitter.com/6ORxYzpZ2K

— Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) March 31, 2023

Flames shot from the roof and windows of the wood-frame portion of the business complex as emergency crews arrived on scene, while smoke billowed across the surrounding area on the banks of the Kiskiminetas River.

The warehouse is adjacent to both the Lower Kiski Ambulance Service and a Leechburg borough garage. Employees at the ambulance service heard a popping sound and reported the fire.

A social media page for the family-owned company indicates that it sells various metals, abrasives and welding supplies.

Foster said the building, which Metco uses primarily for storage, was unoccupied when the fire began.

Fire companies from Leechburg, West Leechburg, Gilpin, Allegheny, Hyde Park and Parks responded to the blaze.

Crews were cleaning debris from the scene by 7:30 p.m., checking potential hot spots and hosing charred pieces of the building off the street.

Hooch Excavating of Freeport worked last night until midnight to partially demolish the building in anticipation of expected strong winds on Saturday.

Staff Writer Joyce Hanz contributed to this story.

A structure fire appears to be spreading rapidly along Kiski Avenue and Siberian Avenue in downtown Leechburg. ⁦@VNDNews⁩ ⁦@TribLIVE⁩ pic.twitter.com/C7w53srqnZ

— Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) March 31, 2023