Five people are displaced and a longstanding Verona business was destroyed as a result of a fire Wednesday evening.
Smoke and flames began to billow from the basement of the Masonic Building, a three-story structure along the 300 block of Center Avenue around 6:15 p.m., according to Verona fire Chief Dan Tihey.
The building houses Eiler’s Hardware on the first floor, three occupied apartments on the second and a masonic hall on the third floor.
American Red Cross assisted three adults with temporary housing. It was not immediately clear who helped the other two residents with shelter.
Tihey said it took about an hour to get the fire under control. Firefighters from Oakmont and Penn Hills assisted.
Tihey said a preliminary review indicated the fire was accidental, and referred further comments to the county fire marshal’s office.
Allegheny County Fire Marshal Matt Brown said Thursday there was “nothing suspicious” about the fire the night before.
The cause remains under investigation.
Restoration Contracting Service crews boarded windows on the second and first floor Thursday afternoon.
A sign on the hardware store window referred deliveries to an address in Penn Hill’s Rosedale neighborhood.
A family friend at that location, who declined to be identified, said she was grateful no one was hurt, and that the Eilers did not want to speak with the media at this time.
Fire Chief Tihey told the Trib at the scene Wednesday that “When we arrived, there was smoke coming from any opening from the basement and the first floor. We began to gain access through a basement door in the rear of the building.
“I had a crew that identified fire in the basement. They started suppression on the fire. I had another crew gain access to the left side of the first floor because the basement is split in the center.”
Firefighters used a ladder truck and smashed windows on the second floor to vent the building.
Tihey said there were at least two people inside at the time of the fire.
Everyone got out safely. Firefighters were able to rescue a cat.
No injuries were reported.
Tihey said the basement and first floor sustained fire, smoke and water damage. The second and third floors sustained smoke damage.
The basement was used to store hardware store supplies.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Tihey said. “The building is one of the oldest buildings in town. The hardware store has been here for a very long time. They’re a staple to this community. It’s heartbreaking for a community to see a business loss.
“I don’t believe the building is a total loss, but the contents of the hardware store are a total loss.”
He said crews used caution when making their way up and down each floor.
Dozens of people watched the incident unfold from the GetGo gas station across the street.
Mayor Ricupero was among borough officials who arrived. He secured Gatorade and water from Giant Eagle to give to the emergency responders.
He said he spoke with the business owners, Dave and Sue Eiler, and shared in the town’s grief.
“The Eilers are very good people,” Ricupero said. “They help everybody. It’s sad.
“The building was an icon in Verona. It’s been here a long, long time. I remember seeing pictures of it from the 1936 flood. It’s just sad to see it go like this.”
The building is believed to have been constructed in 1909. The hardware store has been there for at least 45 years.
Sherry Satz, co-owner of the Hula Bar and Grill a few doors down from the store, said Eiler’s was one of their go-to places whenever they needed something.
“This is so sad because this is my hardware store,” Satz said. “They are still the people we get our supplies from. They are part of the community.”
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at [email protected].
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Categories: Local | Penn Hills Progress | Top Stories | Valley News Dispatch
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