Local

Belle Vernon apartment building remains without heat following gas leak

BELLE VERNON, Pa. — A Belle Vernon family contacted Channel 11 News after the father said they have been without heat inside their apartment for more than a week.

Eric Berggern and his 2-year-old daughter were sitting outside their apartment when Channel 11’s Vince Sims arrived to talk to them about their situation.

Berggern said it’s warmer outside because the gas has been shut off inside their building because of a gas leak.

“It’s freezing up there. I have a 2-year-old and a 6-year-old up there. We have to stay in one room where it’s warm. You can’t walk anywhere unless you have socks on,” Berggern said.

According to Berggern, his family is making due with space heaters, but he said his landlord isn’t moving fast enough to fix the problem.

“They were supposed to do something a couple of weeks ago, and they still haven’t done anything yet,” Berggern said.

A foreman for the property owner arrived at the building while Sims was talking with Berggern and said the repair work is scheduled to start Monday.

The foreman said the work should only take a couple of days. He blamed the delay on getting permits and paperwork cleared through the borough.

Borough officials said lines have been marked, and the building has been cleared for work to begin.