The Red Cross says six people are homeless after a fire ripped through several buildings in New Kensington. A state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
Workers were boarding up businesses and extinguishing hot spots in the 400 block of 9th Street after the fire which brought firefighters in from as far away as Monroeville. Four businesses and several apartments were either badly damaged or destroyed.
After the fire was extinguished, Janice Dortenzo, whose custom drapery store was all but gutted, tried to salvage what she could with the help of firefighters.
Janice Dortenzo said, “I’ll tell you what went through my mind was the tenant who had his home? It wasn’t my business, it was his home. My neighbor has no home now.”