Fire damaged three homes in Forest Hills overnight Tuesday after flames spread from one home to another on Elmore Road.
A couple and six children escaped one of the burning homes, according to Peter Shovlin, the father of one homeowner.
Firefighters responded to the scene shortly before 11:30 p.m. Monday, according to a 911 dispatcher. The flames were under control by 4 a.m.
Peter Shovlin’s son Michael lives in this Forest Hills home that caught fire late last night. Michael and his family escaped. Peter says “they’re all ok.” pic.twitter.com/1hG93QVGcU
— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) June 4, 2019
Shovlin said his son doesn’t know what caused the fire.
“All we know is – fire,” he said. “They don’t know what happened.”
He said his son, Michael, and his family lived in the home for nearly 20 years.
More from the fire aftermath on Elmore Drive in Forest Hills. Peter Shovlin’s son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren live there. “They’re all ok. That’s what really matters.” pic.twitter.com/jqXbUxoo2F
— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) June 4, 2019
The fire started in the back of one house and spread to one house on either side, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV. The family in the home where the fire began escaped unharmed, the TV station reported.
The Red Cross was assisting those affected by the fire. Shovlin said his son he doing as well as can be expected.
“He said right now everybody is offering to do this and that,” he said. “I offered him anything I could. He’s doing his best.”
Assistant News Editor Ben Schmitt contributed to this report. Brian C. Rittmeyer and Megan Guza are Tribune-Review staff writers. You can contact Brian at 724-226-4701, brittmeyer@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BCRittmeyer. You can contact Megan at 412-380-8519, mguza@tribweb.com or via Twitter @meganguzaTrib.
