ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — More than eight months after a fire heavily damaged a row of historic homes along Fifth Avenue’s Knickerbocker Row, Altoona city officials have set a date for demolition work to begin.

According to City Manager Christopher McGuire, the Oct. 2, 2025 fire caused significant damage to the center building and spread to the neighboring homes, raising concerns about the stability of the entire row.

“The amount of fire that damaged the middle building and spread to the adjacent buildings on each side, we’re seriously worried about the structural integrity being compromised,” McGuire said.

To ensure the demolition is completed safely, the city has brought in structural engineers to determine the best method for removing the damaged structure while minimizing the risk to surrounding buildings.

“We want to make sure that this is done in a very controlled manner. The last thing that we want to see is more historic buildings damaged. And then if there is the ability to preserve the end unit that did suffer some fire damage, if that can be saved in the process,” McGuire said.

The demolition process has also been complicated by the ongoing fire investigation. Officials have not yet determined the fire’s point of origin, and the case remains open.

“Evidence has to be preserved, and the fire investigators need to get in, both from the insurance company and the city’s fire investigator,” McGuire said.

Property owners of the buildings adjacent to the center home were given the option to either repair or demolish their structures. At least one owner has elected to move forward with demolition.

Demolition work is scheduled to begin July 1.

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — A central Pennsylvania woman was charged Thursday after allegedly pushing her mother, causing her to fatally fall down a flight of stairs, according to the district attorney’s office.

The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office said an involuntary manslaughter and simple assault charge were filed against 34-year-old Elissa Waltman, of Lancaster.

Waltman and her mother, Eileen Flugrath, were arguing when Waltman allegedly pushed Flugrath into a wall. This caused Flugrath to fall down the stairs outside her home in the 100 block of Pickwick Place in Millersville Borough on April 5, the DA’s office said.

Flugrath was taken to the hospital after police arrived. Officers also found an indentation in the wall at the top of the stairs, which a witness said was not there before, according to the DA’s office.

After four days at the hospital, Flugrath died of head and neck injuries, and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the DA’s office.

Officials said Waltman first claimed Flugrath backed up and fell on her own, denying that she ever pushed her. But, officials say Waltman later allegedly admitted to pushing Flugrath.

The DA’s office noted there was a resident on the bottom floor who reported to police hearing a crash and then seeing Flugrath face down at the bottom of the stairs, while Waltman was at the top, cursing and right away claiming never to have touched Flugrath.

Court records show bail was denied for Waltman after she was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Joshua Keller. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 23.