VERONA, Pa. — Dozens of people are displaced after a flood at a senior high-rise in Verona, and police say it was caused by someone who lives there.
Allegheny County dispatchers say emergency crews were called to 1 Demor Drive at 6:00 p.m.
The Verona Police Department said crews evacuated Demor Towers with the Verona Volunteer Fire Department and Lower Valley EMS.
Around 60 people were displaced in total. Police said most of them had a place to stay, but shelter will be available at the Verona Volunteer Fire Department for anyone who needs it.
Police said they will be filing charges against a man they believe set off the sprinkler system.
Police say a resident tampered with the sprinkler system in his room, causing a flood.
“All the sprinklers in his apartment went off and flooded out into the hallway,” Ronald Parran said. He lives on the 7th floor near that resident.
Police Chief Thomas Dessell told Channel 11 they have a history with the man.
“He has tampered with the fire devices and apparatuses in the building before,” Chief Dessell said.
Only our camera was rolling as that resident was led away in handcuffs. Chief Dessell says he faces a number of charges.
PRT buses were called in to take displaced residents to the Verona VFD. Others are staying with family and friends while cleanup continues.
“My hunting buddy lives up the hill there. I let his dog out every day. Bingo, bango. I’ll sleep on his couch. Probably scare the hell out of his old lady walking around in her underwear,” Sixth floor resident Tim McDade said.
The identity of the man has not been released but will be once charges are filed.
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