Bomb squad removes fireworks from McKeesport home after fire that left man badly burned

McKEESPORT, Pa. — A man was flown to a hospital after a fire Thursday morning that apparently involved fireworks at a home in McKeesport, officials said.

Shortly before 3 a.m., firefighters were called to the home on Banker Street. When they got there, flames were shooting from the second floor.

Fire officials said there were fireworks in the home and investigators are looking into them as a possible cause for the blaze. Neighbors reported hearing popping sounds as the fire burned.

A man, one of three adults who live in the home, was severely burned, officials said. He was flown to a hospital for treatment.

Crews were able to put the fire out in about 25 minutes, but damage to the home was extensive. The second floor was gutted and the first floor sustained water and smoke damage.

After the fire was out, a bomb squad was called and brought fireworks out of the home.

Colleen Murphy, the wife of the man who was burned, said they host fireworks shows and legally purchased the fireworks. She believes there was some sort of electrical issue when a fan was plugged in that caused fireworks to go off and spark the flames.

“I woke up to a whole bunch of pop, pop, pop and I ran. I couldn’t even see up in the attic. There was so much smoke, but I could see fireworks going off everywhere, out the windows. I’m surprised it didn’t go through the roof,” Murphy said.

Fire officials are still working to determined the exact cause of the fire.

The Red Cross is providing assistance to the family that is now displaced from the home.

RAW: McKeesport house fire

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