McKeesport tower could be evacuated if fire system isn’t fixed

MCKEESPORT, Pa. — An apartment tower in downtown McKeesport with more than 100 units could face an emergency evacuation this weekend if the owner doesn’t fix a fire suppression system, city officials confirmed.

Crews discovered the pipe that carries water to fight fires was disconnected, meaning the building wouldn’t have any water to put out flames.

The tallest ladder truck in the city, which can be used to direct a hose, doesn’t reach to the uppermost floors, Mayor Tom Maglicco said.

Work crews could be seen coming and going from the building Thursday, and the property manager confirmed by phone that they were trying to reconnect the pipe.

The property manager said he expected that to happen by Thursday night. A test of the system was scheduled for Friday morning.

The city and the property manager planned to meet midday Friday to discuss the fire system and the other issues inside the long-neglected building, which included exposed wires, broken doors and the lack of a security system. The manager blamed the issues on the prior owner who sold the building last year.

He said he planned to have most issues taken care of in the next few months and invited Channel 11 to follow up in the fall after the work had been completed.

If the suppression system is not repaired or does not have a planned repair that meets the city’s expectations, Maglicco confirmed evacuations were on the table because of the risk to tenants.

The issue, he said, was the lack of available units across the city. He said while the city didn’t own the building, it was responsible for making sure there was a housing plan in place for affected tenants. He said he had been in contact with different agencies in the region to find options and support in case it came to that.

“We don’t think it’s going to go to that that extreme,” Maglicco said. “We think this company is going to do the right thing.”

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