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Fire in Pittsburgh’s Spring Hill neighborhood damages home

PITTSBURGH — Massive flames tore through a duplex on Iona Street Tuesday night in Pittsburgh’s Spring Hill neighborhood.

The fire broke out around 9:40 pm.

“One of my neighbors came and knocked on my door and I came out and there was a raging fire going on in front of me,” said Bill Yanity, who lives across the street.

The cause of the fire is still unclear, but the destruction it left behind is certain.

One side is gutted. The other collapsed completely.

“For a house fire, I don’t think I’ve ever seen something so intense,” said Yanity. “It was singeing me as I stood here.”

According to Yanity, the collapsed half of the duplex had been abandoned for years.

“There were some squatters intermittently living in that house,” he said.

A woman lived in the other side. Neighbors say she had to be helped to safety.

“Somebody kicked her door in to get her out,” said Yanity. “I think it was before the firemen even got here.”

Pittsburgh Public Safety says the woman forced out of her home is now staying with family.

Yanity is hopeful she can get back on her feet quickly.

“She’s a very nice lady and she’s had some rough times recently so this is just — my heart goes out to her.”

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