One Person Killed In Fayette Co. Apartment Fire
BROWNSVILLE, Pa. (KDKA) - An apartment fire claimed the life of one person in Fayette County.
The Sunday morning fire broke out on 2nd Street in Brownsville at approximately 12:50 a.m. at a four-story apartment building.
South Brownsville Fire Department Chief Ron Barry arrived first on scene and said he found heavy fire conditions coming from the top floor, blowing out of the back windows.
Five other companies along with four tankers were called in to assist South Brownsville Fire Department. The fire also required two extra standby ladders to assist in fighting the blaze.
Due to the heavy heat and smoke conditions, the firefighters had to use water streams from two aerial ladders.
"The crews eventually did make their way in and they located a male that was unable to escape on the top floor deceased," the chief said. "All the other residents and tenants were able to make it out safely and all were accounted for."
The fire was sustained to the top floor which sustained heavy damage while the rest of the building sustained smoke and water damage.
"It was a very stubborn fire and the layout and age of the building there's a lot of void spaces and it made it very, very difficult to fight," Chief Barry said.
According to emergency responders, eight people are homeless as a result of the blaze. The Red Cross is assisting those in need.
The man that was killed lived on the top floor of the building. He is being identified as 34-year-old Vernon Pratt.
Fire investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire, but crews believe it started in the rear portion of the apartment on the top floor.