Published: October 17, 2009 12:36 am      

Somerset family displaced by fire

SOMERSET — The American Red Cross has been called in to assist a family of three burned out of an upstairs apartment early Friday.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire in a two-unit apartment building, but not before $20,000 in damage was done and a woman was left with minor injuries.

The blaze broke out about 12:25 a.m. in the top apartment at 253 E. Race St.

“The fire started in the kitchen area in a garbage can,” Somerset fire Chief Gary Thomas said.

The top floor was occupied by Hali Crissey, an unnamed boyfriend and her 3-year-old child, who was staying with relatives at the time.

The family is being assisted with food, lodging and clothes, said Georgia Lehman, emergency services director of the Keystone Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The downstairs apartment was occupied by Jane Stoy, who was treated and released from Somerset Hospital, Thomas said.

The second floor sustained smoke and water damage in addition to the fire. Thomas said the first floor sustained some water damage.

The Somerset company was back in service at 1:30 a.m. The department was aided by companies from Listie, Sipesville and Rockwood.

Somerset EMS and the borough police also were called to the scene.

Thomas said neither Crissey nor Stoy carried renter’s insurance. But the building was insured by its owner, Andy Barth of Somerset.

Thomas said the upstairs is not inhabitable now, though Stoy might soon be able to return to her apartment.

Lehman said she doesn’t know how long the Red Cross will be called upon to assist Crissey and her family. She said it depends upon their plans.

To contribute to local disaster relief, make checks out to the American Red Cross with “Local disasters” as the notation.

Send contributions to American Red Cross Keystone Chapter, 647 Main St., Johnstown, Pa. 15901. Contributions also are accepted through keystone-redcross.org.