PENN HILLS — A Penn Hills family narrowly escaped serious injury when fire swept through their home Saturday afternoon.
The fire broke out around 3:45 p.m. on the 8900 block of Frankstown Road. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, but family members said a hot water tank exploded before the fire spread through the two-story house.
A mother and three children escaped moments later, and relatives said one child who suffers from asthma was taken to a hospital for minor smoke inhalation.
Seven fire departments responded to the call, but they had to abandon their fight inside the home. Firefighters said the flames and smoke were so heavy they could not even see the house when they arrived.
#Breaking: Active fire right now at occupied home in 8900 block of Frankstown Rd in Penn Hills. pic.twitter.com/zfyMV645lV
— Mike Holden (@WPXIMikeHolden) September 3, 2016
Bernard Francis, a cousin of the family who lives in the house, said his mother called to tell him what was happening.
"I ran up here to make sure that everybody was OK, make sure there were no little kids in the house, but everything's alright," Francis said.
Francis said he's grateful for the work of emergency responders. He said rebuilding will be a challenge, but their family bond won't be broken.
"It's an unfortunate situation that happened, but the family has to come together," he said.
Francis said the fire destroyed all of the family's belongings and the Red Cross is assisting.
Cox Media Group
