Firefighters battled a four-alarm blaze early Wednesday on Pittsburgh’s South Side.
Crews were called to the 1900 block of East Carson Street shortly before 4 a.m. for a report of a commercial fire.
Pittsburgh Public Fire Chief Darryl Jones told told Tribune-Review news partner WPXI that the building in which the fire originated was vacant. He said those living in the next-door apartment buildings all got out safely, with no reports of injuries.
Jones described the fire as “difficult” for firefighters.
“Once we had time to reset and get inside, the floors were spongy,” he said. “Some of the stairs were burned away. The temperatures right now are very warm, and the guys are carrying an extra 80-100 pounds of gear, so you’re wearing them out so moving up the alarms for manpower was a prudent thing to do in this case.”
BREAKING RIGHT NOW: Firefighters are working to get a huge fire under control on East Carson Street. It’s between 19th and 20th Streets. WATCH @WPXI 4:30-7 for LIVE UPDATES ➡️ https://t.co/2QyZTb8QSA pic.twitter.com/C2zdvzhRf5
— Alyssa Raymond (@AlyssaRaymond) June 22, 2022
Investigators brought an arson dog in to help pinpoint the cause.
A spokesperson for Pittsburgh Public Safety told WPXI the fire is considered suspicious, although the investigation is ongoing.
Authorities reopened East Carson between 18th and 20th streets shortly after 9 a.m., according to an Allegheny County 911 supervisor.
