Fire breaks out along Main Street in Zelienople
A fire broke out from apartment units above the Zelienople businesses Stylin’ With Sherri and Flowers by M.E. at about 4 p.m. Monday evening, March 30.
Fire Chief Rob Reeb of Harmony Fire District said the damage to the roof led responders to suspect the fire was started on the second floor, but no injuries were sustained and everyone got out of the building and is accounted for. Both businesses were also closed and vacant at the time of the blaze.
“It hasn’t got to the first floor, but as the water starts to settle down it’ll take the ceilings down and everything else with it.” Reeb said of the damage.
Witnesses to the fire reported it was hard to tell where the dark, thick smoke was coming from, as it started quickly. The wind and proximity of the buildings to each other caused confusion.
The community on Main Street came together to help clean up the immediate aftermath, the Rev. James Wehner, a pastor at St. Gregory Church, said.
“You see how tight knit of a community this is, hopefully people will help out.” Wehner said.
Local residents are reportedly trying to ensure the residents impacted can stay at a hotel.
The fire led to the closure of Main Street and Beaver streets to traffic for about an hour.
Multiple fire companies were dispatched to the fire including the Cranberry Township, North Sewickley and Evans City Area volunteer fire departments and Ellwood City Fire Department. Local police directed traffic and blocked off roads.
Butler Eagle staff writers William Pitts and Zach Zimmerman contributed to this report.
