Stove fire sparked blaze that destroyed McCali Manor in Mt. Pleasant

A stove fire sparked a blaze last week that destroyed an apartment building and former restaurant in Mt. Pleasant.

Trooper Steve Limani said a state police fire marshal deemed the fire at McCali Manor accidental. It started on the second floor.

The blaze was reported around 3 p.m. at the West Main Street building in the town’s diamond, just feet from its iconic World War I doughboy statue. The flames spread quickly and firefighters were pulled out of the building when the roof collapsed.

The building owner told the Tribune-Review that seven people were living there while working on an area construction job. An after-school pilot program held there was not in session that day.

The historic building for many years served as the local Elks lodge. It had also housed a tavern.

It was constructed in four phases over more than 200 years. The first segment is thought to have stood on the town square during Gen. Edward Braddock’s march to Fort Pitt during the French and Indian War.

Dr. M.W. Horner added to the home in 1900, doubling its size. When the Horner family donated the home to the Elks Club in 1951, the Elks added a grand ballroom.

The current owner acquired the building in 2009 and renovated it. McCali Manor was condemned by the borough after the fire.

Related:

• Mt. Pleasant's McCali Manor condemned after fire

• Fire guts McCali Manor in Mt. Pleasant