Pocono News Section

Massive Blaze Destroys Murray Complex in Wilkes-Barre

Massive Blaze Destroys Murray Complex in Wilkes-Barre - Sunday, October 21, 2007 at 11:05PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka & Eric Deabill
Sunday, Oct 21, 2007 @11:05pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY - A massive fire has destroyed the old Murray Complex Building on Darling Street in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

The blaze broke out just after 8:00 AM Sunday morning. Firefighters spent all day battling the thick flames. According to investigators late Sunday night, firefighters expect to stay on scene until sometime Monday morning.

From down the street, the thick black smoke pouring from the Murray Complex was intense. Up close, the bright orange flames, which were shooting from the windows, were too much for firefighters to battle. Crews worked all day Sunday just to contain the blaze which engulfed the building.

"Because of the condition of the building, the collapsed floors, the walls leaning, we made the decision months ago, that we would not risk our firefighters lives to go inside the building," Fire Chief Jacob Lisman said Sunday.

As the Murray Complex burned for hours, neighbors watched in awe as the industrial eyesore went up in smoke.

"I could see it from my house, all the flames shooting out and then you can walk up more and you can see the whole building burning," neighbor Nicole Povilitos said.

"Down at our house, we could see the flames shooting up over 50 feet. My mom who lives more than two miles from here called me and told me how bad she could see the smoke from her back porch," neighbor Molly Rosencrans said.

Rosencrans says she's not upset to see the building burn.

"It's a place where drug dealers go, bums live, half the community has wanted the building down for year," Rosencrans said.

Fire investigators know the blaze began on the fourth floor of the building, which has been empty for years. There is also no electricity inside the building, which leads many neighbors to speculate the fire may have been purposefully set. Until investigators can get inside, firefighters won't speculate on those rumors.

"It would be way too soon to come to any conclusion like that," Chief Lisman said.

While firefighters were hard at work battling the blaze, police say they were busy as well. Cops took two people into custody on trespassing charges.

Our cameras were there as Robert Hughes and Elizabeth Bilella were both hauled away in handcuffs. Police found the pair inside another part of the Murray Complex while the building was on fire. Both say they have nothing to do with the blaze.

Because of the raging fire, many people who live near the complex also lost power because of the firefighter. The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Sacred Heart School, 661 North Main Street, for those who are unable to find a place to stay until power is restored to the neighborhood. Volunteers say the shelter will remain open all night.

The Murray Complex has a long and troubled history. Lawmakers in Wilkes-Barre have been battling with the owner of the building for more than three years, to get the eyesore torn down to prevent a scene like we've had Sunday. The latest battle came in magistrate's court just this week, where the owner of the building was found guilty and told to clean-up the property within seven days. City leaders say the blaze may complicate those matters.

"We're doing everything we can legally to enforce the issue with the owner and/or take control of this property. What we do with it, I don't know," Wilkes-Barre Development Director Butch Frati said.