Veterinarian's home, hospital lost in fire
By Mike Mallory
VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH
Friday, October 12, 2007
No one was injured but a fire along Pittsburgh Street in Springdale destroyed the second-floor residence of a veterinarian and his animal hospital on the first floor.
Veterinarian Dr. Mark Jasmine, his family and two animals that were being treated got out safely.
Springdale Fire Department Chief Kevin Wilhelm said fire officials were investigating what started the fire shortly before noon at Jasmine Veterinary Hospital, located at 971 Pittsburgh St.
One lane of Pittsburgh Street near the blaze was still blocked eight hours after the fire erupted.
Jasmine was in the process of spaying a dog when his 8-year-old son, who was home sick from school, alerted him of the fire.
Jasmine said he rushed the dog and a cat that was at the hospital outside to safety. Jasmine completed the surgery on the dog as firefighters fought the blaze. The owners of the pets were not identified.
Jasmine lived on the second floor with his wife, Mayyada, and four children.
Jasmine said his wife got three of their children out, including the 8-year-old and two sons ages 3 and 4. Their fourth son, 7, was in school.
Jasmine said he had insurance for his residence and business. He said the family will stay temporarily at a neighbors' house.
Tina Shrewsbury said she was walking along Pittsburgh Street with her daughter when she spotted the fire. She said she didn't have a phone to call 911, but a neighbor used their cell phone to make the call. The neighbor who called 911 was not identified.
"I was just worried about the kids and the animals," Shrewsbury said.
Wilhelm said there was heavy fire on the second floor of the two-story, yellow brick building when he arrived.
Wilhelm said that putting out the fire was a challenge because it was so large.
Hours later, the building had sustained heavy fire and water damage on both floors and the roof was destroyed.
The chief said the fire's cause was unknown Thursday afternoon. An Allegheny County fire marshal is investigating.
James Desmone, Springdale's code enforcement officer, said he'll wait until the fire marshal gives his report before determining the building's fate.
However, Desmone said it doesn't look promising for the building in which Jasmine had his veterinarian practice for 20 years.
"I'm going to guess it's a total loss," he said.
Desmone said Jasmine recently was denied a permit to build an addition because he failed to meet zoning requirements. He said Jasmine subsequently requested a variance. Desmone said he had been scheduled to meet today with the builder.
Debbie Guyaux was visiting a friend across the street when she spotted flames coming from the building. She said her heart goes out to Jasmine and his family.
"He is an amazing veterinarian," Guyaux said. "He risked his life to save those animals. I hope he can rebuild so that he can open up in Springdale again."
Fire crews from Springdale were joined at the scene by those from Springdale Township, Cheswick, Harmar and East Deer.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynews...h/s_532206.html[attachmentid=4871]
Mayyada Jasmine is overcome as she and her husband, Dr. Mark Jasmine, watch fire consume their home and business in Springdale.
Justin Guido/Valley News Dispatch