Tuesday Fire Destroy's Angelina A's Pizzeria

The fire gutted the West Liberty Avenue building, destroying the business and two apartments.

Early-Morning Fire Destroys Dormont Business

A fire Tuesday morning shut down West Liberty Avenue and destroyed a local pizza shop.

There were no injuries after a fire destroyed a West Liberty Avenue business and apartment building Tuesday morning, but for building owner Francesco Varrati, the fire meant watching part of his livelihood go up in smoke. "I'm dumbfounded," said Varrati, who has owned the building since 1989. "It's total shock. That's all there is to say." Varrati, who used to own Varrati's Pizza—now Angelina's Pizzeria—on the first floor of the building, is retired and said the building was his main source of income. He does have insurance, he said. Dormont Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jeff Arnold said the fire call came in at 5:15 a.m. March 26. Several local departments were at the scene within minutes, but Arnold said the fire was particularly …

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Erin Faulk

11:15 am on Tuesday, March 26, 2013

So are we. Thoughts are with the people who lost their homes and business today.   more ›

Dormont VFD Officers Sworn In Thursday

The Dormont Volunteer Fire Department held a swearing in ceremony Thursday evening.

Members of the Dormont Volunteer Fire Department were sworn in as officers in a ceremony held Thursday prior to the department's regular meeting. During a brief speech before the ceremony, Dormont Mayor Tom Lloyd noted the level of commitment the members have to the fire department. The fire department has 13 active members, as well as two probationary members who are in training. Only the drivers are paid, which means the department is run almost entirely by a group of volunteers. The department responded to 320 calls in 2012, and members also completed drills, details, meetings and other training. Lloyd also noted that Thursday was his last opportunity to have the honor of swearing in the fire department members, as he plans to retire …

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Fire Does $25,000 Damage at Dormont Elementary

An update about the fire at Dormont Elementary School on Friday, Nov. 30.

A fire that broke out on the playground behind Dormont Elementary School on Friday, Nov. 30 did about $25,000 worth of damage to the property, Dormont fire Chief Jeff Arnold said. The fire damaged a play structure and bench, as well as the rubber mulch surfacing on half of the playground. Although there is smoke damage on the brick wall of the building up to the second floor, Arnold said there is no structural damage to the building. The call came in to Dormont Volunteer Fire Department at 5:50 p.m. and the department had it under control within 15 minutes, Arnold said. Fire departments from Mt. Lebanon and Glendale assisted. Arnold said the department can’t yet confirm that this is an arson case. Because crews on scene were not able to …

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Do You Have What It Takes?

The Citizens Fire Academy is now taking applications, and this year includes Dormont and Castle Shannon as well as Mt. Lebanon.

What started as a Mt. Lebanon initiative could now benefit Dormont. The Citizens Fire Academy will be held at the Mt. Lebanon Public Safety Center this fall, and this year, Mt. Lebanon has asked the fire departments of Dormont and Castle Shannon to join in. “We’re all excited about it,” said Dormont VFD Deputy Chief Jeff Arnold. “Right now our membership is down and we’re trying to come up with a way to get people’s interest up. This is a good way to do it.” The Citizens Fire Academy gives those interested in knowing more about fire departments the chance to experience the job for themselves. Participants will tour local fire departments, wear the gear, use the Jaws of Life in a mock vehicle extraction, go on ride-alongs, and learn fire …

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