Cause of fire that destroys vacant house in Plum under investigation

Michael DiVittorio
Friday, May 3, 2019 11:25 p.m. | Friday, May 3, 2019 11:25 p.m.

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Firefighters were called to the scene of a house fire Friday night along Unity-Center Road in Plum. Initial reports from the scene stated that house was believed to be vacant.

Firefighters were called to the scene of a house fire Friday night along Unity-Center Road in Plum. Initial reports from the scene stated that house was believed to be vacant.

Firefighters were called to the scene of a house fire Friday night along Unity-Center Road. Initial reports from the scene stated that house was believed to be vacant.

Firefighters were called to the scene of a house fire Friday night along Unity-Center Road in Plum. Initial reports from the scene stated that house was believed to be vacant.

An Allegheny County fire marshal is investigating a fire that destroyed a vacant house Friday night in Plum.

No injuries were reported.

The blaze started shortly before 9 p.m. in the 800 block of Unity-Center Road. Smoke could be seen from blocks away.

Unity Volunteer Fire Dept. Fire Chief Glenn Kopec Jr. said crews could only attack the fire from the outside because the home’s floor caved in when it burned.

“It’s been exterior (attack) only since we got here,” he said. “We got good water going. We got enough guys here. It’s being stubborn.”

Monroeville firefighters used a ladder truck to fight fire in the roof.

Kopec said the home was vacant for about year, but utilities were still connected at the house.

The chief said a vacant home a few doors down the road burned down last May.

Plum, Monroeville and Penn Hills firefighters responded to the scene. A cooling station was set up along the road between Monroeville and Penn Hills fire trucks.