Firefighters Injured When Stairwell Collapses During North Side Blaze

Three people, including two firefighters were injured after an apartment complex went up in flames early Tuesday morning in Pittsburgh's Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood.

The assistant fire chief said the fire along Shadeland Avenue was aggressive, causing the basement stairwell to collapse while firefighters were on it, trapping them in the basement.

A rescue team was able to pull the firefighters from the basement and out of the apartment complex.

EMTs said both firefighters, whose names haven’t been released, suffered only minor injuries.

A man who lived inside the home that caught fire burned his hands, authorities said. He was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital. His name and condition weren't available.

Authorities said the fire was caused by a cigarette left on a bed stand. The fire has been ruled an accident.

One neighbor said she woke to the sounds of the burning building.

"I looked out my window, and there were flames shooting out of the second-floor window," said neighbor Carol Lamaide. "Luckily, everybody got out."

The Red Cross is helping out the family whose apartment burned.

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