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What's next for Carnegie building destroyed in deadly fire?

CARNEGIE, Pa. — The Carnegie building where one man died after a fire tore through it last week will likely be torn down, the owner said.

On Thursday, Channel 11 was allowed to walk through the Broadway Street building that housed Papa J’s restaurant on the first floor and apartments above.

Last Friday, the fire spread so quickly through the building that it killed maintenance man Mike Wells in his apartment. Authorities said another resident fell asleep while cooking, sparking the blaze.

“You can see the knob still turned on on the stove,” said building owner Michael Troiani.

Whatever parts of the building that aren’t burned are waterlogged. The roof caved in, and the inside is a total loss, he said.

“The outside walls still look pretty, but what’s holding them up, it’s losing strength every day,” Troiani said.

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“Downstairs in the restaurant, it’s a snapshot of time. Two glasses of beer remain on the bar where customers left them after fleeing when the fire started.”

Pizza was getting ready to go in the oven and the tables were set.

“It’s truly like the Titanic; it is a frozen moment in time,” he said.

One borough-recognized fundraiser is for the surviving tenants, and the city has also set up a fund at PNC Bank, said police Chief Jeffrey Kennedy -- donations can be made at any branch under the name "Carnegie Borough Victim Relief."

Troiani has asked for charities to be established for Wells' family, and a GoFundMe has been established for the restaurant staff.

“There’s the children of Mike Wells, the employees, the 42 staff of Papa J’s,” he said.

The Troianis are also looking at ways to honor Wells, he said.

 

Cox Media Group

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