• Font Size    

Most Popular Videos Featured On KDKA.com

Architect Wants To Save Mellon Arena
E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

Blawnox High-Rise Fire Caused By Smoking

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

   Print     Share +   
Oct 30, 2009 5:48 pm US/Eastern

Blawnox High-Rise Fire Caused By Smoking

BLAWNOX (KDKA) ― Investigators say a fire in Blawnox that forced dozens of elderly residents of a high-rise to evacuate was caused by smoking.

Officials say a resident fell asleep while smoking a cigarette in a fifth-floor apartment.

Two years ago, a fire started in the same building because a tenant threw a cigarette in a wastebasket.

The Allegheny County Housing Authority is considering changing its policy.

"What we're going to do is send a survey out to the residents of the Allegheny County Housing Authority, as well as - we have a resident advisory board – as well as meet with them," Frank Aggazio, executive director of the housing authority, said. "And have a serious discussion with our board of directors."

Aggazio says he spoke with evacuated residents at Hoboken Presbyterian Church.

"And I talked to smokers and non-smokers alike and it was very unanimous that they wish that we could ban smoking in the units," he said.

The building has 90 units – 64 units are ready for residents to live in again. The fire caused more than $1 million in damages.

It could take up to three weeks before the fifth floor is restored.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Featured Slideshows On KDKA.com

You need the latest Flash player to view video content.
Click here to download.

Click here to bypass this detection if you already have the latest Flash Player.

Local News

Top News Stories

© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.