Firefighters in western Pennsylvania allowed an empty houseboat to go over a dam on the Allegheny River over the weekend.
Authorities in Armstrong County were called at 10 a.m. Saturday about the vessel, which was above Lock & Dam 7 at Kittanning in the river.
Crews from two Kittanning fire departments used boats to reach the houseboat but found no one aboard.
Kittanning Fire Department No. 1 chief Gene Stephens said the houseboat was “destroyed” inside and was presumably abandoned.
He said because it was close to the dam, and their small boats wouldn't have the power to tow it, the fire crews decided to let the vessel go over.
Stephens says Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission officials have been notified.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
