Burning grease sparks Irwin Hotel fire
A man who was cooking eggs this morning in his third-floor apartment in the Irwin Hotel started a fire that quickly raged through the 124-year-old building, police said.
When a grease fire erupted, the resident threw water on it twice. By the time the man tried to use a fire extinguisher the flames had spread, Irwin police Officer Joseph Pocsatko said.
A bartender at the hotel at 216 Main St. told Pocsatko that all 16 people who were living there were able to escape.
At least 20 fire companies from Westmoreland and Allegheny counties are battling the blaze, which was reported at 7:20 a.m.
The historic hotel was built in 1885 in the borough's commercial district and is used for apartments and rooms for rent. It has 35 rooms, a bar and dining rooms.
At least one Irwin police officer and two people who were working on a nearby sewer project rushed into the building to alert residents shortly after the fire broke out.
"When I got out of the third floor, the ceiling was all smoke there," said police Officer Justin Golnoski.
Some firefighters took their hoses to the roofs of the nearby Lamp Theater and Cafe Supreme restaurant to reach flames in the three-story hotel.
The hotel originally was known as the New Commercial Hotel, according to the Norwin Chamber of Commerce.
Additional Information:
Sixteen left homeless
Irwin Main Street Manager Donn Henderson is appealing for assistance for 16 men left homeless this morning by the Irwin Hotel fire.
The residents escaped the fire with only the clothes they were wearing, Henderson said.
The American Red Cross is assisting with immediate needs, including food and toiletries.
Donations of new underclothes and used socks, shirts, tennis shoes are being sought, as well as men's pants or scrubs in the following sizes (by waist and length) 31-30, 31-32, 34-30, 44-31, 36-32, 34-32.
Items will be accepted until 6 p.m. today and 4 p.m. Friday at the Norwin Chamber of Commerce.
Cash donations will be accepted for the next several days at Romano's Pizza, Norwin Chamber of Commerce, and Colonial Grille. Cash donations will be handled by the Red Cross.
