Morning Roundup: Fire damages Monroeville home; Code Orange alert issued in Mon Valley

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Dec. 21:

Fire damages home in Monroeville

A fire severely damaged a home in Monroeville on Wednesday evening.

The fire started at a home in the 700 block of Green Garden Drive around 5:30 p.m., according to TribLive news partner WTAE-TV.

The home’s garage and second division was up in flames when firefighters arrived, according to a Facebook post from the Monroeville Volunteer Fire Department Company 1.

Firefighters from Monroeville, Penn Hills and Murrysville assisted. Monroeville police, Monroeville Public Works and the Allegheny County fire marshal also responded.

No details on potential injuries or how the fire was started have been released.

Code Orange air quality alert issued in Mon Valley

State environmental officials have declared a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for parts of the Mon Valley on Thursday.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has assigned the alert for the Liberty/Clairton area, which includes Clairton, Glassport, Lincoln, Liberty and Port Vue.

During the alert, vulnerable populations such as older individuals, young children, and those with respiratory problems should limit outdoor activities, the DEP said.

The Code Orange alert is scheduled to expire at 4 p.m. Thursday.

The DEP said the alert was declared after a forecast of a strong morning inversion followed by only light afternoon air flow.

The Mon Valley region has long struggled with poor air quality, as the area is home to large industrial facilities. Air pollution is typically exacerbated during temperature inversions, when warm air masses rest on top of cold air masses.

Water main break closes street in North Huntingdon

Police are advising motorists to avoid Dianthus Street in North Huntingdon on Thursday morning after a water main break in the Westmoreland County township.

A Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County spokesman said a foreman was sent to the scene.

Officials estimate it will take between six and eight hours to repair the break.

Police charge Fayette County chiropractor with indecent assault

A chiropractor from Connellsville was arrested Wednesday and charged with indecent assault of two female patients.

Jon Rumbaugh, 58, runs a chiropractic practice in Dunbar Township, Fayette County.

State Police charged Rumbaugh with two misdemeanor counts of indecent assault and two misdemeanor counts of invasion of privacy, according to court documents.

Police said the case remains under investigation and they believe additional victims may be found.