Fire Forces Evacuations At Wilkinsburg High-Rise
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WILKINSBURG (KDKA) -- Everyone has been allowed back inside the Wood Towers high-rise building in Wilkinsburg after a fire on the seventh floor early Thursday morning.
There is smoke damage and a window was blown out on the outside of an apartment along Wood Street. KDKA is told the fire, which started around 5:30 a.m., was contained to a single unit.
Pittsburgh city officials say one woman was injured.
"Suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation. That person was transported to the hospital," says Alicia George, the spokesperson for Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.
Fire Marshall on scene. City officials tell us one woman injured, taken to the hospital. Fire was contained to one apartment on 7th floor of Wood Towers. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/yCeR7cd2N1
— Lindsay Ward (@LindsayWardTV) April 11, 2019
"I just thank God; it could've been worse," says June Coleman.
The high-rise has about 100 residents. It is a community for those who are 62 and older, or people living with disabilities.
Everyone was urged to evacuate the building; although, KDKA's crew spotted some people standing out on their balcony.
Coleman's mother lives in Wood Towers. She and several others chose to evacuate and stay warm inside a Port Authority bus.
Just learned the evacuation has been lifted here at Wood Towers in Wilkinsburg. All residents are allowed inside. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/aECpLhpFPx
— Lindsay Ward (@LindsayWardTV) April 11, 2019
Coleman says it was a scary situation.
"You're worried about other people in there that's not mobile, that can't walk and stuff and you're worried about them, they're your friends. They're my mom's friends there," says Coleman.
A fire marshal was on scene and the cause remains under investigation, but officials say they don't believe it to be suspicious.
KDKA was told a second person requested to go to the hospital. Nothing too serious, but just as a precaution.
Wood Street and South Avenue were closed for much of the morning, and buses were detoured. It has since reopened.