Fire goes to 2 alarms, water main break causes flames to rekindle

PITTSBURGH — A fire rekindled and went to two alarms after a water main break hampered fire crews. And it was just one of three different fires spread across two neighborhoods.

Just after 11 p.m., fire crews were called to a home on Madiera Street and found smoke and flames. Just over a half hour later, the fire went to two alarms because a water main broke in front of the house.

You can customize your WPXI News App to receive alerts for Allegheny County news. CLICK HERE to find out how.

Firefighters had to then find a hydrant further down the street and pump water. Roughly two hours later, the fire was still not under control.

Just before 2 a.m., the fire rekindled because firefighters did not have enough water to keep dousing what was left of the house. The house was totally engulfed in flames -- a real scare for people who live in the neighborhood.

Mark Williams said the house that was burning has been vacant for years, but he was worried about the fire spreading to his house.

“The way the wires were sparking and arching last night, it was horrible. It was really scary,” Williams said.

Many people in the area woke up to no water, but the Wilkinsburg Penn Joint Water Authority crews were making repairs to the broken line early Saturday.

The cause of the fire is still unknown at this point.

RAW Fire goes to two alarms, water main break causes flames to rekindle RAW Fire goes to two alarms, water main break causes flames to rekindle

Abandoned row homes on Kelly Street were burning when fire crews were called just before 2 a.m. Firefighters also had to deal with flames coming from a house in the Lincoln Lemington neighborhood early Saturday morning, too.

"Everything is gone." Family describes dramatic escape during raging house fire "Everything is gone." Family describes dramatic escape during raging house fire

© 2019 Cox Media Group