Looters, trespassers going through rubble of destroyed auction house

ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A new problem has emerged for a Westmoreland County family already dealing with their business burning to the ground.

A spokesperson for Gilmore Auction Galleries told Channel 11 people are now rifling through the rubble of their business, looking for scrap metal to sell.

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“There’s 24-hour surveillance. We’ve recorded different plate numbers," said Lauren Gilmore. "We don’t want to get anyone in trouble. We want you to understand this is a tragedy and you need to have respect for the family.”

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No trespassing signs and yellow tape have been placed around the rubble. Insurance and fire investigators are still working on their investigations — and the family doesn’t want that compromised.

“I cannot even explain to you how dangerous it is," Gilmore said. "There are roofing nails that are four to six inches sticking out of the ground. Holes in the foundation. You don’t know at any given time it’s going to collapse.”

But with help from their loyal customers, the family is resilient. They want people to know they’re still in business, and working toward an even better Gilmore Auction Galleries site in the near future.

“We’re starting from the ground up.. trying to recover the business, letting everyone know we’re still out there and we’re still working," she said.