Apartments, business destroyed as flames cause Duquesne building to start collapsing

DUQUESNE, Pa. — A building made up of apartments and a business started to collapse as a fire tore through it Wednesday night in Duquesne.

The blaze was reported just before 10 p.m. on Grant Avenue.

As thick smoke filled the air, flames shot from the side of the building and its roof, almost spreading to a neighboring church.

Two families that lived in the building lost everything, as did the owner of a barbershop that operated below the apartments.

Police officers were the first emergency crews to get to the scene. The police chief said they were able to get everyone out of the building before it was consumed by the fire.

By the time the flames were put out by firefighters, the building was gutted and deemed to not be structurally sound. Bricks fell onto the street as the building started to collapse.

A neighbor said an explosion was heard at one point.

The American Red Cross is providing assistance to the families.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

RAW: Aftermath of Duquesne fire