State police: Fire at Arnold Manor public high-rise ruled accidental

A fire at an Arnold high-rise that displaced more than two dozen residents last week was ruled an accident, state police said.

According to a state police report, the cause of the fire that erupted Thursday in apartment 411 of Arnold Manor public housing was electrical. Police said the apartment is a total loss. Officials last week said it was “charred and torched” and will have to be completely rebuilt. That could take months.

Crews responded to the 76-unit high-rise complex, owned by the Westmoreland County Housing Authority, about 2 p.m. Firefighters evacuated the building, carrying many residents who use wheelchairs down the stairs. One resident was helped through a window and down a ladder.

In all, about 24 residents in 18 impacted apartment units were affected. No major injuries were reported.

A man who lives in apartment 411 was not home when the fire started. He was relocated to another apartment within the housing authority.

Apartments 511 and 611, directly above 411, also sustained damage.

Those displaced by the fire were assisted by the American Red Cross. Those residents are expected to return to their apartments this week, but an exact date was not available.