Bethel Park home destroyed in fire
A Sunday afternoon fire destroyed a house located at 984 Willow Glen Drive in Bethel Park.
According to neighbors, the fire flared up in the afternoon. The Bethel Park fire department was at the site until about 5 p.m., but had to return early the morning of Jan. 12 when the fire flared up again, neighbors said.
The owner of the home, Deborah Johnson, was not home at the time of the fire. Johnson had a live Christmas tree in the front room of the house, David Gerber, Bethel Park fire chief, said.
“She went somewhere around 1:30 with her grandchildren,” said Gerber, adding that Johnson had left the lights on on her Christmas tree. “An hour later, we were called. There was fire coming out the windows.”
While no one was home at the time of the fire, which is believed to have started in the front left side of the house. Gerber said Johnson owned three dogs and three cats, all of whom are believed to have perished in the fire.
“They were unaccounted for,” Gerber said.
Allegheny County property records indicate Johnson has owned the property since 2011. The Bethel Park Fire Department was assisted by fire departments from Mt. Lebanon, Peters, Upper St. Clair, Library and Broughton.