A massive overnight fire heavily damaged multiple businesses at the Latrobe 30 Shoppes in Unity Township, Westmoreland County. The fire started around 3:15 a.m. in the section of the strip mall that housed several stores including Goodwill, Harbor Freight Tools, Roadman’s Country Living Shop, a tanning salon, My Fitness Kitchen, and others. Lloydsville Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Schultheis mentioned that the fire originated outside of Roadman’s Country Living and spread to the business and the roof’s overhang.
When firefighters arrived, they found the fire had spread across 75 to 100 feet at the front of the building, with flames reaching 20 to 30 feet in the air. Seven fire companies from Unity Township and additional ones from outside the township responded to help combat the blaze. Two businesses suffered heavy fire damage, while others in that section of the plaza sustained water and smoke damage. Thankfully, no injuries were reported during the fire.
The property manager, Ralph Scalise, referred to the plaza as a community asset and expressed his devastation at witnessing the fire and its aftermath. Scalise mentioned the significance of the affected shops to the community and expressed his grief at the situation. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, with the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal leading the inquiry.
After containing the fire, cleanup crews had to deal with collapsed parts of the shop’s facade onto the sidewalk. The situation is still developing, and updates will be provided by KDKA-TV and KDKA.com in their upcoming newscasts.