Woman dead after historic home catches fire in Westmoreland County

WESTMORELAND CO. — Only the charred shell is left standing of a historic home that dates back to the 1800s; it is said to be the oldest in Norvelt and the original on Arbor Lane.

A fast-moving fire tore through the home Wednesday morning.

“This is one of the oldest houses I think in this area – probably the original homestead and I think the fire had a head start,” Norvelt Fire Chief Matt Zelenak said.

Flames and smoke moved so fast, Alisa Richwine, said to be in her 60s, couldn’t escape it and was found in a back bedroom of the home.

“I don’t know her personally, but I can tell you she was found in a bedroom in the back part of the house,” Zelenak said.

“I mean we knew the people they’d walk up and down the streets and talk to them and everything, but I never realized somebody was trapped up in the bedroom,” neighbor Kim Orbell said.

Neighbors like Logan McCormick didn’t know if anyone was home, but was one of the first ones who frantically called 911 as she watched the fire consume the home.

“I could see the entire porch was up from my room and when I came out, it was the entire bottom floor; and within minutes everything was up,” Logan McCormick said.

“I said we have to go over there and you know what it was just like, the whole bottom floor and then the porch started to fall through,” Orbell said.

First responders said narrow walkways and a lot of material inside the house made it challenging when they went inside.

“Hoarding conditions in the house on top of the fire that had already been well progressed made it difficult, but we did make entry and we did find her in the bedroom,” Zelenak said.

State police fire marshals are working to investigate exactly what caused it.

RAW: Deadly fire at Philadelphia rowhome converted into apartments

©2022 Cox Media Group