Massive fire destroys apartment building in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood

PITTSBURGH — Crews battled a massive fire in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood for hours on Tuesday.

>>Click here for more photos from the scene<<

The four-alarm fire at the Jefferson Apartments on Forward Avenue near the intersection of Murray Avenue started around 8:30 a.m. It was declared under control at 1:08 p.m. Some crews remain on scene in case of hotspots.

One of our reporters on scene saw the roof collapse. No residents or firefighters were injured in the blaze. Two cats were saved from the building, but a third was found deceased.

Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said a request for an emergency demolition of the building has been made due to the building already partially collapsing.

Officials said there were two fires that broke out: one in a kitchen on the third floor, and an electrical fire in the basement.

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The Salvation Army and the Red Cross are assisting the approximately 30 residents who lived in the apartments. The agencies have opened an emergency shelter on Greenfield Avenue, where residents can stay overnight. Residents do not have to stay at the shelter in order to receive free Red Cross assistance.

PennDOT announced the ramp from Forward Avenue to the Parkway East is closed to traffic until further notice.

Rep. Summer Lee posted about the fire on Facebook, saying she’s grateful to the firefighters and first responders on the ground:

“My office and I are aware of the terrible fire in Squirrel Hill and are relieved to hear no one has been injured. I’m grateful to the firefighters and first responders on the ground.

“We’ll be working with local officials as necessary to ensure community members are safe and have the resources they need to recover and rebuild their homes.”