Sparklers Likely Culprit Behind McKeesport Apartment Complex Blaze

Firefighters battled a massive blaze at an apartment building in McKeesport early Friday morning, and authorities now believe sparklers could be to blame for starting the flames.

According to authorities, the fire broke out at about 6 a.m. at the Hi View Garden Apartment Complex along Coursin Street. Investigators said they believe a child playing with sparklers might have accidentally sparked the fire.

Firefighters used ladders to rescue people as flames and smoke engulfed the building. One woman was seen crawling out of the structure on her knees to avoid the smoke and flames.

“Just as we saw the smoke, we got out of there just in time,” said resident Amanda Penman. “If not, we would have been burned up.”

“Right when they got everyone out, the windows just broke,” said resident Tomaz Faulkner. “The floor fell down. We got out in the nick of time.”

Faulkner said he ran back in the building to find his girlfriend then had to climb down a ladder truck with the neighbor’s baby boy in his arms.

"I heard police banging on the doors and grabbed my boys and got out,” said resident Hollie Davis.

According to authorities, 11 people were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries. Most were treated and released.

“Our first on the scene, police and firefighters were risking (their) life without airpacks and people rescuing to come out their doors,” said McKeesport Fire Chief Kevin Lust. "We were full rescue mode. We weren't worried about putting out the fire. We know the building has firewalls.”

The American Red Cross is providing assistance to more than 40 people who were displaced because of the blaze.

Authorities said they believe the blaze started in a bedroom of a unit on the second-floor. The entire building has smoke damage and at least two apartments are a total loss.