PITTSBURGH — Fire crews battled a house fire in East McKeesport Thursday morning.
According to 911 dispatchers, crews responded to the fire around 6:42 a.m. in 1200 block of Hilda Avenue.
“This is like my worst nightmare,” said Debbie Spigelski, whose house sits only feet away from her next-door neighbor’s home. She had to be evacuated as the flames started to spread.
“I was like instantly hyperventilating, and I just want to get my cats,” Spigelski said.
Spigelski and other neighbors were initially frantic, worried that the homeowner was inside.
“As soon as I came back out of the door, I saw the whole front of Dave’s house up in flames,” said Josh Hobaugh, who lives two doors down. “Thank God he was not home. That was my biggest concern.”
It took some time before United volunteer firefighters and several other departments were able to get the fire under control, as they battled the flames and frigid conditions.
Spigelski told Channel 11 that despite some minor smoke damage and a utility box melting, her house is fine and is grateful things didn’t turn out to be worse.
No one was injured. The Allegheny County Fire Marshal is investigating.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
©2025 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
