5 buildings damaged in McKeesport fire

MCKEESPORT, Pa. — An investigation is underway into what caused a fire that damaged five buildings in McKeesport Sunday morning.

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The McKeesport Fire Department responded to a fully engulfed house fire along Federal Street at around 2 a.m. Crews say the buildings were vacant, and a carriage house was under renovation.

“I was devastated. I was upset. I was annoyed because they’ve been told years and years, year after year, what these properties look like,” said neighbor Mae Hudson.

Hudson has lived in the neighborhood for 50 years and said it’s plagued by abandoned and condemned buildings. She said she’s approached the city thousands of times to have these properties, some vacant for decades, torn down, and said it’s been frustrating.

“Tear these houses down! Quit playing games,” she said. “There’s no improvement here. They have houses built. Houses in construction. But we sit here and, you know, have this type of scenery.”

Hudson said neighbors are concerned these fires will continue, and they want to see their neighborhood cleaned up.

“It’s ridiculous how we have to live, and it’s not by our choice either,” she said.

The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office is handling the investigation.

WPXI contacted McKeesport City officials to address the neighbor’s concerns and is waiting for a response.

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