5 families forced out of Penn Hills apartment building by fire

PENN HILLS, Pa. — A fire forced five families from an apartment building in Penn Hills early Thursday morning, officials said.

Flames were reported about 1:30 a.m. at the building on Penn Pleasant Drive. When firefighters arrived, they found the fire burning in a kitchen of a basement apartment.

“A tremendous amount of smoke damage. A lot of electrical damage and a kitchen that was on fire in one apartment,” Penn Hills Fire Chief John Capone said.

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One person was checked by paramedics at the scene for smoke inhalation, officials said.

In all, more than a dozen people and about five pets have been displaced. The Red Cross said it is assisting 14 adults and four children.

A fire marshal is investigating what started the fire.

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