Fire at Duquesne apartment building causes roof to collapse
DUQUESNE, Pa. (KDKA) -- A fire ripped through an apartment building in Duquesne on Thursday, causing the roof to fall in.
The first call came in around 7 a.m. of a spreading fire in the building still filled with residents. Duquesne Fire Chief Frank Cobb said the fire broke out on the third floor where he says there were no firebreaks.
"It already extended to the roof and was taking off on us on both sides," Cobb said.
"Behind the building, there's no access, no street, it's all wooded," he added.
Cobb says they only had one hydrant close by with about eight firefighters to attack the flames. The fire-weakened roof collapsed as some battled the flames while others started getting people out.
The Red Cross said 20 units at the Hilltop Parkview Manor Apartments are impacted.
Lisa Fierst, whose apartment was destroyed, says she grabbed a few things and escaped.
"There's a lot of smoke, they couldn't see anything through the smoke," Fierst said.
The Red Cross opened a respite center for displaced residents at the First Presbyterian Church on Duquesne Boulevard. A Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus will take residents to the center, which will serve as a place where they can warm up and get food and information.
The fire marshal was at the scene. There was no word on what caused the fire, but the investigation is ongoing.
No one was injured.
The Red Cross said anyone who needs help can call 1-800-733-2767.
