Early morning fire guts former Hippo's Pub in Penn Hills

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Darrell Sapp/Post-Gazette

Firefighters pour water this morning onto a fire in the former Hippo's Pub in Penn Hills. The building, on Verona Road, had been vacant since at least April. Firefighters arrived on the scene around 4:50 a.m. and the building was already engulfed by flames.

A fire broke out early this morning in a vacant building in Penn Hills, and the blaze has closed several roads in the area.

Matt Henshaw, fire chief at Penn Hills' Rosedale company, said crews arrived at the former Hippo's Pub around 4:50 a.m. Mr. Henshaw said the roof and part of the third floor has collapsed. Five fire companies are battling the blaze.

The building, about 100 years old, has been vacant since April, Mr. Henshaw said.

Road closures in the area included Verona Road at Lincoln Road, Coal Hollow Road at Lime Hollow Road, Saltsburg Road at Frankstown Road and Sandy Creek Road at Allegheny River Boulevard. But most of those roads had reopened by mid-morning.

Commuters can access the updated traffic conditions to avoid the area.

First published on July 17, 2008 at 7:41 am