Midtown Towers fire: Resident describes harrowing escape

Quick thinking may have helped save the life of a man who lives at a downtown Pittsburgh apartment building that caught fire early Monday.

One resident was killed in the seven-alarm blaze at Midtown Towers. Mary Robinson, 75, died in the fire that started on her floor.

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"I thought I was dreaming," said Johnny Lindsay, another resident. “I turned on my bedroom light and I saw smoke."

Lindsay said he grabbed his flashlight and headed to a window with a wet towel. Waving the flashlight, he attracted the attention of firefighters -- a move he said may have saved his life.

"I am glad I was by that window with that flashlight to tell them where I was at," he said.

He said those minutes felt like hours, but firefighters rescued him from his apartment soon after. On the way down the stairs, a firefighter passed out because of the smoke and additional rescue crews saved both of them.

"I thank all the firemen for putting up with me," he said. "I am glad they got me in time."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and there is no timetable on when residents like Lindsay will be allowed back in their homes.

A spokesperson with the Red Cross said residents will have shelter again Tuesday night at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. After Tuesday, the Red Cross will work with local organizations who could possibly provide living assistance, but those plans were still being formulated as of Tuesday evening.

"The primary concern is making sure everybody has a safe place to stay, food, clothing, that sort of thing," said Dan Tobin, of the American Red Cross.

Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for continuing coverage as details become available.

Cox Media Group