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An abandoned home on Layfayette Street, Vandergrift caught fire at approximately 11am today. The occupants of the surrounding homes were notified of the danger and were able to evacuate their homes without any injury. It wasn’t long before the flames from the fire quickly spread to the two homes on either side before threatening a fourth home. Melissa Smith, tenant of the forth home, was notified of the fire by a Vandergrift Police officer. She said her four-year-old son was upstairs asleep and she quickly awakened him and left the residence.

Fire, police, ambulance and special services from the Alle-Kiski Valley were dispatched and quickly arrived on the scene. Water was brought in to help supply the firefighters as the pressure dropped low during the long battle.

Melissa watched as the firefighters tried to contain the fire and prevent further damage to her home. “It already has a lot of smoke and water damage,” stated Melissa. In all, four homes were either destroyed or damaged.

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