Family that lost home in Penn Township fire grateful for help, daughter's return from hospital

A couple of agonizing hours passed between the time Laurie Kiss learned that her family’s Penn Township home was on fire until she learned her 11-year-old daughter was rescued.

Kiss was on an out-of-state work trip Aug. 4 when a neighbor phoned to alert her to the fire that soon would heavily damage the home on Timber Ridge Court.

That neighbor “saw the smoke and knew something was happening,” Kiss said. “Talk about a traumatizing call to get.”

Her daughter, Kayli, initially was going to be flown by helicopter to Pittsburgh’s UPMC Mercy hospital, Kiss said, but the girl was sent instead to UPMC Children’s Hospital when it was determined she had not suffered burns in the fire.

She has been recuperating at home since Aug. 11, her mother said.

Kayli was taken through a second-story room by local firefighters. They reported she was unconscious at the time and placed her on a respirator for severe smoke inhalation.

“Something like this puts life in perspective, with Kayli in the hospital, not knowing what was going to happen,” said Kiss. “We lost our home for the time being, but we never really thought about that. It was just about getting her better.”

Follow-up medical checks may show whether Kayli will experience any extended effects from the smoke exposure.

For now, Kiss said, “We couldn’t be more thankful how well she’s come along physically. She’s resting and taking it easy.”

Kiss and her husband, Chad Warhold, expressed gratitude for the neighbors, first responders and others who helped at the fire scene — and for individuals and organizations that have offered support in the aftermath.

“The community has been absolutely incredible,” Warhold said.

He raced home after a resident in the vicinity who also is a customer called him at his plumbing, heating and air conditioning business in North Huntingdon.

Kayli was alone in the house with the family pets when the fire was reported about 12:30 p.m. Warhold said two other members of the blended household — his son, Beckham, 17, and Kiss’ son,Tyler, 13 — had left about 15 minutes earlier to pick up lunch for the trio.

“We’re thankful that we didn’t have three children in the hospital,” Warhold said.

Warhold and Kiss are hoping to learn the identities of two people who reportedly kicked in the home’s front door. Warhold said one of the duo called emergency officials to confirm the fire, possibly triggering a larger response by multiple fire companies a few minutes earlier than otherwise.

“In this case, seconds mattered,” Warhold said. “The amount of (firefighting) response we got, especially during the day, was absolutely amazing.”

During that effort, Kiss said, she remained on the phone with a neighbor who acted as a go-between, helping Kiss communicate with first responders.

“She stayed super calm and really worked as the middle man between me and the firefighters,” Kiss said of the neighbor.

According to Kiss, one of the family’s two dogs perished in the fire.

Both dogs initially escaped the fire. But Daisy, an English bulldog and boxer mix who was a mascot for Warhold’s business, reentered the burning building.

“Daisy was running in circles, barking and trying to get the attention of everyone,” Kiss said.

Heavy smoke

Lou Scarlett, Irwin Borough public works director, said he and fellow Irwin firefighter Scott Urias heard a report that a young girl was trapped inside the house when they arrived at the fire scene.

“I found her rather quickly,” Scarlett said, despite “zero visibility” inside the house.

Scarlett said he, Urias and Brad Doshen, a captain in the Westmoreland City Volunteer Fire Department, brought the girl outside and began resuscitation efforts until emergency medical personnel took over.

The borough has given Scarlett the opportunity to respond to emergency fire calls while on duty.

Urias was among four first responders who rescued a 63-year-old man from a burning Irwin apartment in 2017.

Warhold said this week investigators had yet to determine what caused the fire. According to fire officials, it started on the home’s rear deck and spread to the interior of the house.

“There’s just nothing left of it at this point,” Warhold said.

The family has been staying with a relative and was preparing to move into a rental dwelling, with plans of eventually rebuilding on their Penn Township property.

The couple said they’ve received an outpouring of support from local organizations where family members have been involved — including their children’s sports teams and the boys’ Scout troops.

Warhold is the scoutmaster for a troop that meets at St. John’s United Church of Christ in the Larimer section of North Huntingdon. The church donated to the family $1,001 in proceeds from one of its Dog Days of Summer hot dog and meal sales, on Aug. 16.

“We were very happy with the outcome, ” the Rev. Susan Hans, pastor of the church, said of the sale. “We sold 102 combo meals. Normally, we sell around 50.

“By the grace of God, we have been blessed. We need to turn around and bless others, and that’s what we’re doing.”

A GoFundMe page established for the family by another supporter raised about $73,000 before that avenue of giving was voluntarily halted.

If there is any money left over that they don’t need, Kiss said they would like to donate it back to the first responders who came to the family’s rescue.

With the new school year beginning, Kiss said Kayli’s continued recovery likely will delay her starting to play with the Steel City soccer club.

“She’ll be back at some point this season,” Kiss said. “She just needs some time.

“We went to see them practice, and it really boosted her spirits.”

As the family starts to regroup, Kiss said, “It feels like we’re in limbo right now.

“We’re doing our best to create a new normal and get the kids back in a routine.”