Gator's Old Flames - June 2003

Structure Fire - McKees Rocks (2-14-1981)

In the early morning hours of February 14th, 1981, McKees Rocks Fire Department was summoned for a structure fire on Island Avenue at the corner of Bradley Street. First in units found a large dilapidated 3-1/2 story rooming house fully involved. McKees Rocks was assisted with mutual aid from Presston, West Park, Flemming Park, Kennedy Township, and Neville Township. The entire structure was engulfed from the basement through the roof in a short period of time and the exposure in Sector 2 caught fire as well. The side facing Bradley Street collapsed onto the street approximately 2 hours into the fire. The rear of the building came crashing down shortly after daybreak. Three cars parked on Bradley Street were destroyed in the collapse. Emergency personnel found two victims in the rubble the next day. Oddly enough, this was the first of three separate fires at the same intersection throughout the 80s that destroyed three out of four corners of the intersection.

Pictures and Story by: Ed Burik