Family Rescued As Fire Rips Through Brentwood Home
BRENTWOOD (KDKA) - Firefighters are looking into the cause of an early Thursday morning fire in Brentwood.
According to officials at the scene, the fire started around 3 a.m. at a home on Olancha Avenue.
"He came running in and said it looked like they were having a bonfire," said Alex Dytko. "But, it was out of control. So, we ran out and stood in the street."
Thanks to the quick thinking of Dytko and his friend, Sean Kelly, five people were able to survive this fire.
"I mean, within 30 seconds, the house went from looking like a campfire, to the whole back half of the house was on fire," said Dytko.
Dytko and Kelly were able to knock on the doors and get all five people out of the home.
The house was fully engulfed in flames by the time fire crews arrived on scene.
Brentwood Fire Chief Jack Loeffel said the fire produced intense heat, thick black smoke and even sent large embers flying through the air.
Crews were worried about the fire spreading to nearby homes. Fortunately, they were able to knock back the flames in time to keep it from jumping to another structure.
Dytko and Kelly were just happy everyone got out of the burning home.
"By the time their kids were coming out of the house, they were head to toe covered in black soot," said Dytko. "When we were at the front door, we could barely breathe, I couldn't imagine being in the house."
The five people inside the home were taken to the hospital. Chief Loeffel didn't have the victims' conditions, but said most had smoke inhalation and all were expected to survive.
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal's Office is looking into the cause of the fire.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
