Local

Dozens escape 4-alarm fire at Brighton Heights' apartment complex

Dozens of people managed to escape a four-alarm fire at an apartment building in Brighton Heights on Thursday.

PITTSBURGH — Channel 11’s Jodine Costanzo reported that the fire quickly escalated to four alarms because of smoke and flames trapped in the roof.

Jazz Prude, a resident at the eight-unit Termon Avenue apartment building, told Costanzo that she rushed home when she heard about the fire.

“I work hard for all my stuff. I have a 3-year-old daughter,” said Prude. “She don’t have nothing (now). I don’t have nothing.”

Brian Pfender said he just happened to be driving by when he saw the flames, dialed 911 and helped get a couple families out of the building safely.

“(I) seen flames shooting from the third floor. I came around and called 911. (They) put me on hold, believe it or not, on hold. (I) went up to the first floor, banged on all the doors (and) got a couple families out,” Pfender said.

Firefighters said everyone was able to evacuate the building safely.

The cause of the fire is not known. However, firefighters said the fire began on the third floor and flames got trapped in the roof, causing extensive damage to the whole complex.

Fire Chief Darryl Jones confirmed there was an issue with a fire hydrant but said their hoses had plenty of water.