Firefighters Battle Blaze on Stonehaven Court in Plum

Firefighters from several area fire companies fought a house fire in Plum Borough on Thursday evening.

Fire crews fought a house fire on Stonehaven Court in Plum Borough, Thursday. The call came in at about 6 p.m. and the fire burned through the home's roof. As of 7:10 p.m., smoke was still coming from the house but the fire seemed to be controlled.  Renton fire Chief Jason Davis said crews arrived to find the home's roof "fully involved." Firefighters aggressively attacked the fire and got it under control.  "The building is still standing, which is rare for this type," he said. "The guys did an excellent job."  Davis said the house sustained severe water and smoke damage. Though a cause has not been determined, officials think it might have started with a pool heater on the side of the house.  In addition to the Plum firefighters from …

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Bingo Set Thursday at Holiday Park VFD

Get to the games at the fire station on Abers Creek Road!

Holiday Park, Renton VFDs Look to Expand

A new addition for the Holiday Park VFD is being built, and Renton is looking to purchase more property.

The Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department in Plum is going to get bigger in the next couple of months—all in time for the department's 50th anniversary. Renton Volunteer Fire Department also is hoping to expand soon. An addition currently is being constructed adjacent to the existing Holiday Park VFD structure along Route 286 and Abers Creek Road. The new two-story addition will have two truck bays, a laundry facility, sleeping quarters, a kitchen, an office, a day room for firefighters, restrooms and a locker room. Holiday Park fire Chief Larry Glass said fire department members have been working on plans for about four years. "We've run out of room," Glass said. The $1.2 million project—paid for by fundraising money—should be complete …

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Plum Council Notebook: July Voting Meeting

Right-of-way, flashing signals and more discussed at the meeting.

Here's a roundup of items discussed at the July 9 Plum Council meeting: Short Street Officials are looking to make traveling on Short Street easier for larger vehicles. Council agreed to condemn a piece of property at the end of the dead-end street to be able to secure a right-of-way to ensure public safety and public service vehicles can maneuver the street effectively. Eight residences use the street, but borough Manager Mike Thomas said fire trucks, ambulances, garbage trucks and public works vehicles have a tough time getting in and out of the street because there is no turnaround at the end of the road. Councilman Keith Nowalk said the right-of-way is needed for safety purposes. Thomas said the borough has maintained the road for at …

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RCC in Verona Briefly Evacuated After False Alarm

Firefighters were dispatched to the Riverview Children's Center in Verona Wednesday morning after the carbon monoxide alarm went off.

Children and staff at the Riverview Children's Center in Verona briefly evacuated the facility after the carbon monoxide alarm went off after 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Firefighters responded to the Sylvan Way center, which currently is holding its summer camp, to check the facility. All was OK'd and everyone was allowed back into the building by 10:20. _______________________ Plum-Oakmont Patch is on Facebook and on Twitter. Don't forget to sign up for our daily email newsletter by clicking here.

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Mock Crash Provides Reality Check for Riverview Students

Law enforcement and emergency personnel from the area showed Riverview High School students how dangerous it is to drink and drive.

At just after 1 p.m. on Thursday, the fire alarms in Oakmont were sounding full-force. There's been a crash on Third Street right in front of Riverview High School. When Oakmont police Chief David DiSanti arrives on scene, he rushes to the site of the crash to check on the victims—one girl is dead on arrival. "I did the sign of the cross and said a prayer, and I asked God to bless her," DiSanti said. "Unfortunately, it's not the first time I've been faced with this." Luckily, this time it wasn't real. Law enforcement and emergency personnel from the Oakmont Police Department, Verona Police Department, Oakmont Volunteer Fire Department, Verona Volunteer Fire Department, Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department, Lower Valley Emergency Medical …

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Heidi Dezayas

9:39 am on Friday, May 11, 2012

Dan, thank you for your comment! Everyone involved did an excellent job with this exercise, and I hope everyone walked away with a valuable lesson.   more ›

Verona VFD Hosts Pampered Chef Fundraiser

The event will be Sunday, Nov. 27, at the fire department.

The Verona Volunteer Fire Depaerment will host a Recipe Tasting Open House featuring the Pampered Chef on Sunday, Nov. 27. All proceeds will benefit the fire department. The event will be held at the fire department, 465 Parker St., from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be door prizes, 50/50 raffle and more. For more information, e-mail cookinforyou@gmail.com. Pampered Chef orders can be placed in person or online at www.pamperedchef.biz/jangalbreath. The host name is Verona Fire.

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Down the Red Brick Road

Volunteer Firefighters Deserving of Tax Breaks, Appreciation

The people who put their lives on the line to save others deserve more respect and assistance, Taliaferro says.

How many of you give money to your local volunteer fire department? For that matter, how many of you even know one person who is a volunteer firefighter? I know a lot of them in Plum and here in Oakmont. In case you have noticed, many of them are suffering. I'm not just talking about raising money with bingos, spaghetti dinners and gun auctions. I am talking about the lack of volunteers. It also takes a huge time commitment for a firefighter as well as time away from his or her family.  As I have been told by many in the Oakmont Fire Department, it is very much a family thing as well. Take a good look at your fire department, and guess what you will see? Fathers and sons, brothers and sisters — all of whom have family members who worry …

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Holly Usher

8:53 pm on Monday, January 17, 2011

Thanks for the info Bonnie — we're working on a write-up of the fire for tomorrow.   more ›

20 Ways to Prevent Holiday Season Fires

Holiday Park VFD Chief Larry Glass offers tips on how to keep your family fire-savvy and safe during the holidays.

During the holiday season, candles, fireplaces and Christmas trees are part of the culture of beauty and warmth — but they can also cause destruction if they aren't handled properly. Christmas is the worst time for residential fires, Holiday Park Fire Chief Larry Glass said. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the amount of open-flame fires more than doubles on Christmas Day. It only takes 30 seconds of burning before a dry Christmas tree results in a fully-engulfed fire, according to the Building and Fire Research Laboratory. "They make turpentine out of pine trees," Glass said, referring to their natural flammability. To keep your household safe this holiday season, Chief Glass and the USFA provided the following tips: 1. Cooking …

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