Tragedy struck Reserve Township, Allegheny County when a fire ravaged the Bethany House, a community beacon for after-school children's programming. WPXI reported that firefighters were called to the 1500 block of Chicago Street shortly before 8:30 p.m. last night to battle the blaze, ultimately leading to part of the roof collapsing despite fervent efforts to save the structure.

Neighborhood residents expressed their sorrow at the loss of this space. "It’s a big loss. It’s a big loss because it became [an] after-school program for the kids You know what I mean? And it’s so sad," Syl-Jean Marshall stated, according to WPXI. The Allegheny County Fire Marshal has been working to uncover the cause of the fire, while one individual suffered a minor finger injury during the incident.

The Bethany House Ministry, known for its long-standing contribution to the community, has provided outreach programs for more than five decades. Flames were seen tearing through the roof in a video captured by WTAE, underscoring the severity of the fire. Rev. Larry Homitsky, president of the United Methodist Church Union, detailed the institutional legacy in an interview: "The ministries and the outreach programs that have been coming out of this facility for over 50 years have made a huge difference in this community, and have touched the lives of thousands of children."

The cause of the fire remains uncertain as investigations continue.