Rayburn Township Man Dies in Apartment Fire

by Jonathan Weaver

A Rayburn Township man died during a apartment complex fire last night in Rayburn Township.

The fire began on the bottom floor in Building A of the Rayburn Manor Apartments along State Route 85 about 9:30PM and evacuated most of the building.

Except for Howard “Louis” Hopper, who was found on the floor inside his bedroom apartment by firefighters. Coroner Brian Myers said Hopper died on-scene due to accidental smoke inhalation.

“The firemen got him out, (but) he passed away before they could even get him to the hospital,” Myers said.

Myers said a toxicology will be performed due to the smoke in conjunction with the State Police fire marshals, Pennsylvania State Police troopers and the fire department.

Rayburn Township Assistant Fire Chief Todd Ortman first called for an imaging camera from his fellow volunteers about 9:45PM to try and locate the entrapped male. Kittanning #6 Ambulance medics also stood by outside the entrance to the eight apartments.

He said a full investigation will be conducted to determine what caused the fire.

“As far as we can tell right now, it’s still speculation. It looks like something started on the stove,” Assistant Chief Ortman said. “It was contained to the kitchen area - most of the kitchen area was burned (and) there was smoke and water damage.”

Hopper’s next-door neighbor, Virginia DiMaria, pulled the fire alarm to warn everybody. She said fellow residents called Hopper “Lou” affectionately.

“I was getting ready to lay down on the couch and my dog kept barking at the kitchen. I went in to see what he was barking at and I saw smoke coming through my electrical outlet and through my stove,” “So I ran out and pulled the fire alarm. I tried to get everybody out of the building.

“I thought it was coming from the upstairs apartment, so I kicked in the door to use the fire extinguisher. It wasn’t up there so I came down, but Lou wasn’t answering his door.”

“He was a good friend.”

Other than those that lived in four residences, all tenants in the apartment building were able to re-enter the building for the night. The four residences in the center of the building lost electricity and those tenants were required to stay with other friends or family.

DiMaria was one of those residents not able to stay in her apartment last night. She planned to stay with either her daughter, Brittany, or son, Brandon.

Brittany also knew Hopper since she lived in another apartment building across the main parking lot.

“He was a friendly guy - he’d talk to anybody,” Brittany said. “He loved everybody. He loved my kids - every time he saw them, he’d give them a popsicle.”

Rebecca Toy lived on the top floor above Hopper and talked with him about 5PM yesterday.

“I was in (another) building at my aunt’s house and we heard the alarm. I saw Virginia and another lady running out - I thought it was in Virginia’s apartment because it was filled with smoke, so I went to see if she was OK,” Toy said. “It wasn’t hers, so we were checking to see if everyone was OK.

“And then they said it was Lou’s. He (was) a nice guy.”

Kittanning Township Assistant Chief Greg Baker and Lieutenant Brett Moore said they found Hopper lying on the floor by the door of his apartment. About six firefighters helped pull him out of the apartment.

It was Lieutenant Moore’s first fire call with a fatality.

“There are always those ‘what if’s,’ but it’s something we’ll never know,” Lieutenant Moore said. “We went in and did our job as quickly and as safely as possible.”

Myers’ office was contacted about 10:20PM.

Firefighters tried to clear the smoke via a portable fan and opening sporadic apartment windows. Assistant Chief Ortman said the fire was pretty-well extinguished once they arrived on-scene about 9:43PM.

Three EMS crews from Kittanning #6 Ambulance were initially dispatched in fear of two victims being entrapped.

In all, volunteer fire fighters from more than a half-dozen companies assisted at the scene either inside or outside.

Other than Rayburn Township and Kittanning Township (the first two on-scene) those included: Pine-Templeton, Rural Valley, Kittanning Hose Company #4 and #6 and Manor Township.

The Armstrong County HOST team was also called to assist and South Buffalo firefighters were standing by in Kittanning if needed.

Ford City Ambulance medical responders were also contacted due to asthma concerns.

Pine Township was the first company to leave the scene at 10:45, and about the same time, Manor Township firefighters left to stand by at Rayburn Township’s fire hall.

State Police Fire Marshal Trooper John Corna of the Kittanning barracks and Trooper Jungling of the New Castle barracks will investigate the fire.

Traffic on Route 85 near the Armsdale Administration Building next door was detoured due to the fire investigation last night.

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