Fire damages cars, utilities, displaces 10 in North Belle Vernon commercial building

Jun. 17--A fire that started in a basement garage caused smoke and utility damage in a three-story building in North Belle Vernon on Tuesday night, displacing 10 residents in upstairs apartments.

A car that was being repaired caught fire shortly before 9:15 p.m. and was destroyed in the garage at 525 Broad Ave., according to North Belle Vernon Fire Chief Kurt Parshall. It caused fire and smoke damage to some other vehicles, he said.

Most of the damage was confined to the basement with upper levels receiving some light smoke damage, Parshall said.

Because the fire melted utility lines in the basement, residents were unable to remain in six apartments.

No injuries were reported.

It was unclear how the fire might affect operations at some first-floor businesses, including an eye care center, an insurance office and a skateboard shop.

They will be without water and septic service in the short term, Parshall said.

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff at 724-836-6622, [email protected] or via Twitter .

___

(c)2020 Tribune-Review (Greensburg, Pa.)

Visit Tribune-Review (Greensburg, Pa.) at www.triblive.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.