Pittsburg, PA
Family plans to rebuild after fire destroys home in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood
It’s not the way anyone would want to start their Sunday morning. Just after sunrise, a fire tore through a family’s home in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood.
It was a beautiful sunny morning on Dawson Street, and for many, they were probably enjoying coffee, but for Tara Lewis, she woke up to the smell of smoke.
Her home of 30 years is now gone.
“I’m feeling taken aback. I’m feeling confused and just at a loss for words,” Lewis said. “I was met with smoke on the second floor. My grandson came downstairs, said he smelled smoke, and when we opened the door, it was all on the third floor.”
The family had been in the middle of renovations. Construction materials and chemicals meant for rebuilding their dreams instead fueled the flames on the third floor, eventually blowing up.
The family, their dog, and only two precious items made it out.
Neighbors say they watched in disbelief as the smoke rose high above the power lines, fearing the fire would spread to another home.
Tara’s grandson, who escaped the fire, spends a lot of time at the community club right across the street. His friends say they quickly stepped up, trying to help him cope.
“The worst part about it is he hasn’t even graduated from high school. He has to experience one of the most debilitating things a person can experience before he got his diploma, which I think is insane,” childhood friend Adam Khalil said.
The Lewis home wasn’t just another house on the block; it was a piece of the neighborhood’s heart. For decades, families gathered there for cookouts and celebrations.
“This is horrible. This is one of the most beautiful houses on the street. I was literally raised in this house,” Terald Harris said. “Got a lot of memories in there. A lot of memories.”
Even with the Flames gone, the fire has left its mark.
“I don’t think that smell is going to go away anytime soon. I think it’s going to haunt this neighborhood a little,” Khalil added.
The family says, despite the damage, they have plans to rebuild the home.
Pittsburgh-area natives Joe Manganiello and Caitlin O’Connor are returning to their roots.
Manganiello, from Mt. Lebanon, and O’Connor, from Uniontown, have bought a home in the South Hills after getting engaged this summer.
On Pittsburgh Today Live on Thursday, O’Connor talked about the couple’s move from Hollywood to Mt. Lebanon.
“It’s so nice to be home,” she said.
While Manganiello and O’Connor are happy to be back in southwestern Pennsylvania, O’Connor said it’ll be a bigger adjustment for the beloved chihuahua Bubbles. From the Pittsburgh Steelers fashion show to the gala celebrating the new airport terminal, the tiny dog is seemingly always in Manganiello’s arms.
“Bubbles is a California girl. She really doesn’t like the cold. We wrap her in a blanket and she has many, many puffy coats. I bought her a Steelers puffy to put in her stocking, so we’re going to see how she does over the next few months. But it’s not that long. It’s not forever. Winter will come and go,” O’Connor said.
And they all got quite the Pittsburgh welcome. O’Connor said it snowed when they were moving in, and Manganiello was outside shoveling for over two hours. She said she’s getting him a snowblower for Christmas.
The couple won’t be braving the Pittsburgh winter for too long. O’Connor said they’ll soon be off to South Africa, where Manganiello will film “One Piece” for Netflix. He’ll star as the villain Crocodile in the popular Japanese manga series.
“Bubbles will be in a better state,” O’Connor joked, saying it’s currently summer in South Africa. “I just bring Bubbles to set and hang out. It’s really the best job.”
Police in Westmoreland County are investigating a late-night shooting that happened at an apartment complex in Irwin Borough.
Irwin Police Chief Daniel Wensel confirmed to KDKA-TV that the department, along with Westmoreland County detectives are investigating a shooting that happened at the Bevington Building along Sweetbriar Drive within the Villages of Easton Apartment Complex.
Dispatchers said the first call related to the incident came in around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Details are limited but Chief Wensel said there is no danger to the public.
It’s unclear if any injuries have been reported or if any arrests have been made.
Chief Wensel said that more information is expected to be released once detectives and the department get further along in the investigation.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are re-signing veteran running back Trey Sermon, the team announced today. Sermon has had multiple on-and-off stints with the Steelers since signing with the team rookie mini-camp. He’s appeared in three games for the Steelers in 2025.
Sermon was drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. In 46 career games, Sermon has 505 yards on 134 carries and three touchdowns with the 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, and Steelers.
The Steelers have the chance to put the Baltimore Ravens on the ropes this Sunday. If they defeat the Detroit Lions, the Ravens would have to defeat one of the New England Patriots or Green Bay Packers for the Week 18 matchup between the Steelers and Ravens to have any stakes. The Steelers can also clinch the division before Week 18 if they win their next two games and the Ravens go 1-1 or 0-2.
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