Fire heavily damaged two duplexes in the township's Natrona section late Thursday.

An Allegheny County emergency dispatcher said no injuries were reported.

Neighbors said only one unit was occupied of the four at 56 through 62 Chestnut St., one door down from the former Vault Theater, a former Pittsburgh National Bank building.

Jason Mascara, who lives across the street, said he saw the man who lives at 56 Chestnut escape.

Fire officials with Hilltop Hose and neighboring companies were battling hot spots early today and were unavailable for comment at press time.

Although the fire initially was reported as starting about 11:30 p.m. at 58 Chestnut, the unoccupied side of the first duplex, Mascara said he first saw flames shooting from the neighboring building at 60 Chestnut.

"It jumped from house to house so fast," he said.

Mascara said he and his wife, Brittany, have been concerned about vacant buildings on Chestnut, including the duplex that includes 60 and 62 Chestnut. He said young people frequently hang out in the buildings.

"These buildings have been abandoned for years," he said. "I wish the landlords would do something with them."

According to Allegheny County property records, the building at 56-58 Chestnut has been owned by Todd Resek since 2004.

The building at 60-62 Chestnut reportedly has been owned by Marjorie and Gerald Morgan since 2003.

Neighbors said buildings destroyed in a Chestnut Street fire a year ago still haven't been torn down. They fear the vacant structures are safety hazards in their tightly packed neighborhood.

"That's why we're so concerned," Mascara said.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)