2 teens help rescue tenants during apartment building fire in McKeesport

MCKEESPORT, Pa. — Smoke and flames damaged an apartment building in McKeesport on Wednesday.

Firefighters were called to the 1600 block of Sumar Street at 3:48 p.m.

Cell phone video shows the fast-moving fire.

“The firefight was very turbulent, heavy smoke, very fast-moving fire,” McKeesport Fire Chief Kevin Kovach said.

That meant fast thinking for two teenagers who were sitting on the porch on the corner of Sumac Street.

18-year-old Amere Turner, a senior at McKeesport High School, smelled smoke.

“My first instinct was to call the fire department and 911 and try to go help. I went to bang on every window I could. T tried to get into the building, but door was locked. Our intent was to scream to make sure everyone got out safely,” Turner said.

That included waking up and helping an elderly woman who was sleeping inside when the fire broke out.

“There was brown smoke, I was a block away and I couldn’t see my fire trucks. That’s how turbulent the smoke was, so I give those two men a ton of credit; they definitely helped to save that woman’s life today,” Kovach said.

In all six apartment units were affected, displacing 14 tenants.

The building is likely a total loss, but no lives were lost thanks to the actions of the teens.

Turner said he just did what he hoped others would do for him.

“I believe if someone is in danger and you have the ability to save them, you should act in that moment. I didn’t second-guess, I just acted,” Turner said.

The Red Cross is helping the families.