Loyalhanna house gutted by fire, family left homeless right before Christmas

A Loyalhanna family of four was left homeless Wednesday afternoon by a fire that caused extensive damage to their two-story house, a fire official said.

No one was injured in the accidental fire that appeared to start in the living room of the two-story Stewart Avenue home, Saltsburg Assistant Fire Chief Bill McClelland said.

A woman was outside the house when the fire started and was met by flames when she opened a door to the inside, McClelland said.

The fire was in the basement, first floor and second floor when Saltsburg firefighters arrived, McClelland said. They were the first units on the scene after receiving the alarm at 1:50 p.m. he said.

The firefighters were able to knock down the flames within 10 minutes but had extensive work to extinguish the fire that was behind the walls, McClelland said. Firefighters were on the scene for at least 2½ hours, McClelland said.

The American Red Cross is helping the family, McClelland said.

Family members lost their clothing and all Christmas items, he said.

Saltsburg firefighters were assisted by units from Bell Township, New Alexandria, Sardis, Slickville and Washington Township in Westmoreland County, and Tunnelton and Iselin in Indiana County.

Although Saltsburg is in Indiana County, it provides fire service across the Conemaugh River in Loyalhanna, Westmoreland County.