Thirteen Families Lose Homes in Clarion Apartment Complex Fire; Damage Estimated at $1.5 Million

Joanne Bauer

Joanne Bauer

Published March 24, 2017 5:30 am
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MONROE TWP., Pa. (EYT) — Thirteen families were displaced by a massive fire at a Second Avenue apartment complex on Thursday in Monroe Township, Clarion County.

According to Clarion County 911, Clarion Fire & Hose Company No. 1 was dispatched around 3:00 p.m. for a working structure fire at Ron Corcetti Rentals located at 435 Second Avenue.

Upon arrival, a fully-involved structure fire was discovered near the rear of a building that housed multiple apartments and the complex’s main office.

The blaze then spread to an adjoining apartment building.

(Photos and video by Explore’s Daniel Pesina, except where noted otherwise.)

The fire was under control as of 4:45 p.m., and the scene was cleared late Thursday; however, Clarion Fire & Hose Company No. 1 was called back to the complex around 12:05 a.m. on Friday and extinguished a rekindle.

Two buildings, which housed a total of fifteen apartments and the apartment complex office, were destroyed in the fire.

Displaced tenants were transported to the Clarion fire hall on Wood Street where the American Red Cross set up a temporary shelter.

The Captain Loomis Restaurant, which is also owned by Ron Corcetti, provided food at the fire hall for emergency workers and displaced tenants.

Corcetti also provided housing for those who were displaced.

No injuries were reported.

Damage to the two structures is estimated at $1.5 million.

It is believed that the buildings are insured; however, it is currently unknown whether the displaced families carried renter’s insurance to cover their belongings.

The origin and cause are currently under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Unit.

“Further investigation (will) continue over the course of the next few days,” said Tpr. David M. Powell.

Anyone with video or photographs of the early stages of the fire or with information on the cause of the fire is asked to contact PSP-Punxsutawney at 814-938-0510 or PSP-Clarion at 814-226-1710.

Strattanville Volunteer Fire Company, Limestone Volunteer Fire Department, Shippenville-Elk Volunteer Fire Department, Clarion-based State Police, Clarion Borough Police Department, West Penn Power, and Clarion Hospital EMS were also dispatched to the scene on Thursday.

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