2 Hospitalized After South Oakland Apartment Fire
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SOUTH OAKLAND (KDKA) -- Two people were sent to the hospital after a fire broke out at a South Oakland apartment late Sunday night.
It started around 10:30 p.m. in the 3300 block of Ward Street.
Crews were called to the scene for a report of heavy smoke coming from the basement of an apartment building.
Mike Medwed, who lives on the first floor of the building, said firefighters had to break into the basement to rescue one of the victims.
"The firefighters smashed the door in the basement and they dragged the guy out," Medwed said.
A total of two people were sent to the hospital.
The second victim was found lying in front of the building when firefighters arrived.
One victim suffered burns, and one victim was being treated for smoke inhalation. Both were reported to be in stable condition.
The fire escalated to three alarms as crews were on the scene.
Pittsburgh Fire Bureau Chief Darryl Jones said he believes the apartment was mostly student housing.
The fire was reported to be almost under control just before 11:30 p.m.
"[Trying to fight a basement fire is] kinda like trying to fight a fire in the oven, but it's not something that we're not used to doing and we handled it pretty well," Jones said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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