Local

Man killed in house fire in West Mifflin

WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — A West Mifflin man died in a house fire Wednesday morning.

Click here for photos from the scene

Allegheny County dispatchers said emergency crews were called to the Millport Road home around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

“It was a little tough working in there, crews actually took a pretty good beating because of the heat and the amount of fire in there,” said fire chief Craig McDivett.

McDivett said Pleasant Hills firefighters were returning from a call and nearby and got to the home within minutes. Multiple firefighters tried to get to the man trapped inside the home, but he did not survive.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Bentley Beckinger, 61.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a 50-year veteran, like I am, or a rookie, you don’t ever want to lose somebody. So, it’s tough,” said McDivett.

McDivett said the fire was challenging all around, with multiple hazards.

“There was a lot of personal effects in the house. That makes it tough crawling through there, the ceiling was starting to come down already. There were a lot of hazards like that.”

A neighbor tells Channel 11 he spotted the smoke around 10:30 a.m. and called 911. He said he also tried to get into the home, but the heat was too intense and fire was shooting from the windows.

Other neighbors stood outside in shock, saying this is a close-knit street and everyone knows one another. Many of them send prayers to the victim’s wife and family.

“He was a very nice guy, they are very nice people. My thoughts and prayers go out to her and everything. It’s devastating,” said neighbor Lindsay DeFrances.

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