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Jan 10, 2009 11:50 pm US/Eastern
Fire Destroys Funeral Home In Squirrel Hill
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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KDKA Photojournalist Ian Smith took this photo at the scene of the fire.
Ian Smith/KDKA
A funeral home is now destroyed after flames tore through the building during an early morning fire in Squirrel Hill.
Thick clouds of smoke could be seen for miles around Squirrel Hill when the fire broke out around 7:30 a.m. in the Burton Hirsch Funeral Home. The place has been a fixture on Murray Avenue for more than 50 years.
"It's really sad," said Shirley Pavlischak, a former employee of the funeral home. "What's really sad about it is the current supervisor of the funeral home just passed away this week. His funeral was yesterday, now the funeral home is on fire, today."
Officials say Hirsch recently sold the funeral home. It was being operated by a New York company.
"The property rep is up there and he responded. I've been talking to him," Asst. Pittsburgh Fire Chief Frances Deleonibus said while on the scene. "He assured us they had no families, deceased in the funeral home."
As the fire raged out of control, neighbors in a nearby apartment building said they were getting nervous.
"It's a little nerve-wracking. It looks like they have it under control," said neighbor Jen Dalke. "I don't think it's going to reach the building I'm in, I don't think, but that's why I'm out here, just watching it all."
Firefighters say they believe the flames started in the older attached structure that once held offices and rooms for mortuary students. Because of the dangers, firefighters said they went on the defense and allowed it to burn.
"There are several reasons for that; one, ultimately, is firefighters' safety. The streets are icy. It's hilly terrain. We just can't put firefighters, tactically, into safe positions to apply the water," said Deleonibus. "I know it looks bad, but, actually, the fire's contained. It's burning through the roof."
Tthe cause of the fire is still under investigation. It is estimated that the fire did about a quarter million dollars worth of damage.
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