Tenants of 72-unit apartment building displaced after water main break

NORTH VERSAILLES, Pa. —

UPDATE 12/26/22

North Versailles Emergency Management came forward and said residents were not forced to leave the community center at 9 a.m.

Brandywine, the owners of the apartment building told, Bud Pusey they would give out hotel vouchers. The vouchers will be given out on a “case-by-case” basis.

Residents were allowed back into the building Monday to get their belongings. They should contact Brandywine if they need to get back in.

Brandywine is waiting on an electrical inspection. It is still unclear when the tenants will be able to move back in.

Tenants of a 72-unit apartment building will not be able to stay in their homes after a water main break on Christmas Day.

Allegheny County dispatchers say emergency crews were called to the 500 block of Della Street in North Versailles at around 3:56 p.m. Sunday.

Firefighters say the water main break occurred in an electrical unit in the building. They had to turn off both the water and the electricity.

“I came out, I heard the water and saw the panels all on the ground,” said Mark Abdullah, who lives on the first floor.

People who had to leave the building but did not have a place to stay are able to stay at the North Versailles Community Center on Greensburg Avenue. Firefighters said food would be provided for them but they can only stay until 9 a.m.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit sent buses to help transport people to the community center, emergency crews say.

Shortly after the pipes burst, there was an initial sense of optimism from residents evacuated from Della Plaza, but as the hours went by without hearing from property managers, frustration grew.

“I just thought things would be a little better done as far as responding to your tenants,” said Joseph Harden, a resident of the building. “We really don’t know what to do. We’re in limbo.”

The owner of the complex originally told firefighters they would not be paying for overnight hotels to help the displaced residents. They have since come forward and said they will be providing help, but have not yet specified how they will be helping.

Channel 11 reached out to Brandywine, who owns the apartment complex to see what, specifically, is being done and has not heard back.

Members of the West Wilmerding Volunteer Fire Department are asking the public to help. Anyone willing to provide donations or to help the displaced residents is asked to reach out to the West Wilmerding Volunteer Fire Department. Their phone number is 412-583-6535.

Firefighters are unsure how long it could take before tenants are able to return to the complex. They said the cold weather has been causing similar issues throughout the area.

“I would definitely say it’s weather-related…houses, apartments, everyone’s pipes are bursting. I’m worried about my pipes bursting. We’re just doing our best,” said Merle ‘Bud’ Pusey of North Versailles Township Emergency Management, who is also a member of the West Wilmerding Volunteer Fire Department.

Emergency management officials told Channel 11 they spoke with property owner Brandywine, who said they’ll try to work with residents to find a solution.

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