A fire in Beaver County has left a building housing both a restaurant and residential apartments in ruins and 10 people without a home. According to WPXI, the blaze ignited early this morning on the 800 block of Midland Avenue, with emergency calls coming in around 3 a.m. Upon arrival, firefighters found three people trapped on the roof, requiring a harried rescue by four police officers who used a fire ladder to bring them to safety. Meanwhile, one valiant officer reentered the burning structure to save a cat.
The inferno reportedly began with a humble citronella candle left unattended on a back porch, according to Garrett Brethauer, who lived in an apartment above the restaurant and relayed his narrow escape to WTAE. "We had gone on the porch just to be out there,” said Brethauer. “We lit a citronella candle. We went back inside. Accidentally fell asleep," and was awakened by the smell of smoke and the sounds of car horns. No official cause of the fire has been released as of now.
The firefighters faced additional challenges due to the complex's structure. As explained by Midland Volunteer firefighter Jack Balser to WPXI, multiple layers of shingles and remodels complicated their efforts to extinguish the flames.
No lives were lost thanks to the swift action by state troopers Joseph Tommelleo, Owen Sidun, and officers Gina Justice and Zach Williams, who worked to rescue the stranded residents and their furry companion. The Red Cross has stepped in to assist the displaced residents.
