Key Points
- Charleroi borough officials condemned the office of Magisterial District Judge Eric Porter at 416 Fallowfield Ave on Wednesday due to extensive water damage from a leak.
- A police officer discovered large amounts of water in a rear hallway while covering a hearing.
- Charleroi Fire Department and code enforcement responded; water was shooting from the ceiling beyond the courtroom area.
- Water service shut off; West Penn Power disconnected electricity; building ran briefly on generators before condemnation.
- Borough Manager Joe Manning described the scene: drop ceiling falling, water everywhere, flooding into basement.
- Manning contacted Borough Council President Paul Pivovarnik to offer Charleroi Borough Building as temporary site; Pivovarnik agreed if suitable.
- Manning met county officials Wednesday to discuss relocation, needing county approval and IT setup.
- Council chambers and community room likely needed for hearings and waiting area; county to retain constable, consider private security.
- Compensation queried; Manning to consult insurance broker for temporary memorandum of understanding.
- Councilman Larry Celaschi received numerous calls; opposes housing court in borough building due to insurance issues and lack of separate entrance.
- Celaschi referenced past incident where county rejected borough proposal over entrance requirements; owner later fixed issues.
- County officials plan Thursday visit; Celaschi says permanent location likely selected, awaiting timing.
- Insurance carrier now different from previous incident; Manning to verify coverage.
- Hearings for rest of week cancelled; no repair timeline; building closed until safe.
Charleroi (Manchester Mirror) February 05, 2026 – Borough officials have condemned the office of Magisterial District Judge Eric Porter following a severe water leak that caused extensive structural damage to the building at 416 Fallowfield Avenue. The incident prompted a swift emergency response and ongoing discussions for temporary court relocation amid insurance and logistical challenges. All hearings scheduled for the remainder of the week have been cancelled as the site remains unsafe for occupancy.
What Triggered the Emergency Response at Fallowfield Avenue?
A police officer arrived at the magistrate’s office to cover a scheduled hearing and immediately noticed a large amount of water pooling at the far end of a rear hallway, as detailed by Borough Manager Joe Manning. The Charleroi Fire Department and code enforcement officials were promptly dispatched to the scene at 416 Fallowfield Ave. Upon arrival, Manning reported that water was actively shooting from the ceiling in the rear portion of the building, an area situated beyond where courtroom hearings are typically conducted.
Water service to the building was immediately shut off to stem the flow, and West Penn Power was called to disconnect the electrical supply due to safety risks. The structure briefly operated on generators during initial assessments, but code enforcement officials quickly deemed it unsafe, issuing a formal condemnation. “It was a mess,” Manning stated, vividly describing the chaos: “The drop ceiling was falling, water was everywhere, and it had moved into the basement.” No injuries were reported, but the damage extended significantly, rendering the facility uninhabitable.
How Did Borough Officials Respond to the Condemnation?
Following the condemnation, Borough Manager Joe Manning took decisive action by contacting Borough Council President Paul Pivovarnik to inquire about using the Charleroi Borough Building as a temporary venue for court operations. Manning said Pivovarnik agreed to make the building available, provided it was assessed as suitable for judicial proceedings. Later that Wednesday, Manning convened with county officials to explore relocation options, noting that any move would require arrangement and formal approval from higher authorities.
County officials committed to consulting their IT staff to evaluate setup needs for accommodating Porter’s office. Manning indicated that both the council chambers and the adjacent community room would likely be required—one for conducting hearings and the other as a waiting area for attendees. Additionally, the county confirmed a constable would be retained, with private security potentially necessary to maintain order during operations.
What Insurance Challenges Arise for Temporary Relocation?
Manning raised concerns about compensation during talks with county representatives, specifically asking how payment for utilising the borough building would be managed. “I have to get with our insurance broker, explain to them what’s going on, and they’re going to give us some sort of temporary memorandum of understanding to pay the borough if it would work out,” Manning explained. He was advised to verify details with the borough’s current insurance carrier, which differs from the provider during a previous similar incident.
Councilman Larry Celaschi expressed strong reservations about hosting the court in the borough building. As reported in coverage of local responses, Celaschi said he received numerous calls regarding the temporary closure ahead of the agenda meeting: “I got overwhelmed with phone calls today on the whole thing.” He argued, “You are not going to be able to house them here. It’s an insurance issue,” highlighting that magistrate offices require a separate or secondary entrance, a stipulation likely to prompt rejection of any insurance claim.
Why Did Past Relocation Efforts Fail in Charleroi?
Celaschi drew parallels to a prior incident involving the same building, stating: “We went through this before when there was a problem with that building.” At that time, the county issued a request for proposals to relocate the office, and the borough submitted a bid. However, Celaschi noted it was rejected because the borough lacked the capability to install a separate entrance as mandated. Before full relocation proved necessary, the property owner implemented the required modifications, allowing the court to resume operations on-site.
Celaschi further revealed that county officials are scheduled to visit on Thursday, but a permanent location has likely already been chosen. “They have pretty much selected a place, permanent, so we are just waiting to hear the exact timing and go from there,” he said. Manning affirmed his intent to follow up with the insurance carrier and provide updates as developments unfold.
What Is the Current Status of Court Hearings and Repairs?
All hearings scheduled for the remainder of the week in Judge Eric Porter’s office have been cancelled due to the ongoing closure. No timeline has been announced for repairs to the 416 Fallowfield Avenue structure, and it will remain shuttered until code enforcement officials deem it safe for re-occupancy. Borough officials continue to coordinate with county authorities, ensuring continuity of judicial services while navigating logistical and financial hurdles.
This incident underscores vulnerabilities in ageing public infrastructure, particularly in smaller boroughs like Charleroi, where rapid response by local fire, police, and code teams mitigated worse outcomes. As discussions progress, residents and legal stakeholders await clarity on Judge Porter’s office operations, with potential long-term implications for court accessibility in the area. The borough’s proactive engagement, from emergency shutoffs to relocation overtures, reflects standard protocols in such crises, though insurance and regulatory barriers may prolong disruptions.
