Man airlifted to hospital after fireworks spark blaze at McKeesport home

Tony LaRussa | Thursday, May 20, 2021 5:42 a.m.

Tribune-Review photo

A McKeesport man was taken to the hospital by medical helicopter after fireworks sparked a blaze in his home.

The fire in the two-story building in the 2600 block of Banker Street was reported shortly before 3 a.m., according to emergency dispatchers.

Firefighters encountered flames shooting from the second floor of the home, which was heavily damaged.

It took about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control.

Fire chief Jeffrey Tomovcsik said an occupant of the home is known to use fireworks.

Two other people lived in the home, which is now uninhabitable.

The owner of the home told Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV that she and her husband do shows using legally purchased fireworks, which are stored at the house.

She said she awoke to popping sounds and saw flames shooting from the room. She believes an electrical problem caused the fireworks to go off.

The woman said her husband suffered significant burns to his chest and arms, but was alert when taken to the hospital. The woman said her father also lives at the house. They are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

The Allegheny County Fire Marshall and the bomb squad are investigating the cause of the fire.