ALIQUIPPA, Pa. — 75 people are without a home including 23 children after a fire broke out around 2 a.m. Thursday at the Valley Terrace Apartments along Superior Avenue in Aliquippa.
“Next thing I know, I saw lights from the fire departments there,” said victim, Brohannden Smith.
Brohannden Smith said he smelled smoke soon after and ran from his second floor apartment with his girlfriend and 4-year-old cousin.
“It became a frightening situation because you never know where the fire is coming from directly if you have smoke and with her yes I was very worried and everyone children in that building,” said Smith.
The state police fire marshal was on scene Thursday afternoon inspecting the building and investigating the cause.
The fire chief said it looked like someone set furniture on fire in a breezeway. He said the fire spread quickly up the side of the building and all the way up to the roof. But fortunately, firefighters were able to keep the fire from getting into the building from the attic.
But due to the smoke and water damage, officials said everyone in the building will be displaced for at least a few days so the American Red Cross and Salvation Army are helping the victims.
“Right now, we are making sure that they are comfortable and of course able to eat. We are providing the meals,” said Charlene Charlie Crawford for the American Red Cross.
The Red Cross and Salvation Army set up a shelter in town for everyone where they have somewhere to sleep and eat until they can return home.
The apartment building had 40 units, and luckily no one was hurt in the fire.
Two firefighters had minor injuries but are expected to be okay.
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