By Saxon Daugherty Staff Writer
Thirteen families have been displaced as a result of Thursday’s apartment complex fire in Clarion Township.
State police in Clarion said the blaze at Corcetti Apartments, owned by Ronald Corcetti, caused an estimated $1.5 million in damage.
None of the building’s tenants were injured during the fire, and the Red Cross is assisting those who were affected, police said.
Clarion Fire & Hose Co. No 1 and mutual aid departments were dispatched to the structure in the 400 block of South Second Avenue shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday.
Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters found the complex was involved with fire showing from the rear, police said.
“All the fire departments were absolutely outstanding … they all did a great job,” Corcetti said.
Limestone, Strattanville and Shippenville-Elk volunteers assisted Clarion Fire & Hose at the scene, and Corcetti said the quick response by all the firefighters likely kept the blaze from spreading.
Part of Second Avenue was closed for a period of time to allow access to fire hydrants, and tenants were taken to the Clarion Fire & Hose hall on Wood Street, where the Red Cross had a temporary shelter set up.
All 16 apartments in the building and the complex’s office were destroyed as a result of the blaze.
Corcetti said there are multiple buildings on the property that are still inhabited by residents, but the building that was involved in the fire is no longer housing anyone.
Corcetti said the office that was lost in the fire was used to conduct all the business for the rental company.
A state police fire marshal unit is investigating the cause of the fire, and the probe will continue over the course of the next several days.
Anyone with video or photographs of the early stages of the fire, or with information about the cause of the fire, is asked to contact Punxsutawney state police at (814) 938-0510 or Clarion state police at (814) 226-1710.
Other agencies that responded to the incident included Clarion Borough police, West Penn Power, Clarion Hospital EMS, Clarion County Emergency Management Agency and the Clarion County Sheriff’s Department.