Harmar House gutted by fire; dozens of events to be canceled, residents displaced

HARMAR TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Smoke poured out of the top of the Harmar House for hours while crews worked to get a fire under control.

CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS FROM THE SCENE

According to Allegheny County 911, first responders were called to the 1300 block of Freeport Road in Harmar Township at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday. Officials say it took an hour and a half to get the fire controlled.

At this time, no injuries have been reported at the banquet hall with attached apartments.

A neighbor told us he discovered the fire when the power in his apartment shut off. After that, he went throughout the building and helped other residents out.

“It’s heartbreaking. A lot of people got married here, a lot of graduations, a lot of retirement parties, it’s heartbreaking,” Kirk Rice said.

Harmar House owner Nick Futules said he was about to celebrate his 25 years of ownership on Monday. Now, he says dozens of events scheduled through the rest of the year will have to be canceled.

“I’m in shock right now. I took a look in the back of the building, in the back door, and it’s completely gutted in there. It doesn’t look good,” Futules said.

Futules said he does have insurance and he’s helping the nine people displaced because of the fire.

The Allegheny County Fire Marshal is at the scene and working to determine how the fire started.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

©2023 Cox Media Group