Fire Forces Evacuations At Wilkinsburg High-Rise

Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter

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.

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

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.

"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.

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.

Read more
f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.