At least 4 people injured when fire rips through building in Rochester
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- At least four people were injured in an early morning fire in Beaver County.
Firefighters were called out around 2:30 a.m. Thursday to battle massive flames at an antique store along Brighton Avenue in Rochester.
Big fire in Rochester, Beaver Co. pic.twitter.com/DJ4gDc0pgt
— Scott Danka (@ScottDanka) August 18, 2022
The fire chief tells KDKA that a man and his dogs escaped the flames.
"We thought we had entrapment, so police actually entered the apartment from the Brighton Avenue side. One gentleman, a 30-year-old, and his dogs were inside. They took them out and everyone's fine."
The most difficult part for fire crews was getting water to the area.
The chief says the tactic of "surround and drown" was used, meaning placing crews around the building and spraying as much water as possible.
Three firefighters were treated for minor injuries from when a hose had a blowout.
CHECK THIS OUT 🔥:
— Bryant Reed (@Reed_Reports) August 18, 2022
Crews are using a drone to track any hotspots that are still fuming inside of the building. Whenever one pops up it’s relayed to crews and they tackle that area as fast as possible. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/itIyXM9mU9
Fire crews at the scene were using a drone to track hotspots and put them out. Because of safety issues, the building is now being torn down.
It's unclear what sparked the fire at this time, but it remains under investigation.
Stay with KDKA for more on this developing story.