Lower Burrell, PA – Just after 1:00 P.M. on May 21st, fire crews were dispatched to the Cedar Crest Apartments located along Puckety Church Road for a brush fire endangering a structure.

Arriving crews found a large three-story apartment building with smoke showing from the attic area of the building. Crews quickly began evacuating residents and opening up the attic area to attack the fire. Once crews were able to get into the attic area, they found fire running along the length of the building. Additional fire crews were requested to the scene as crews continued to fight the fire.

Interior crews on the third-floor reported fire above every apartment and began opening up the apartments before crews were forced to evacuate. Crews then set up a defense attack until the bulk of the fire was knocked down. Crews then began the long task of overhaul and stayed on-scene for several more hours. All residents escaped without injures. Over 25 people lived in the apartments and the American Red Cross are assisting those residents.

The entire third floor was destroyed, and the first and second floors sustained heavy smoke and water damage. The fire is still under investigation.