Flames, smoke cause damage to Lawrenceville businesses

PITTSBURGH — Several small businesses are dealing with damage after a fire broke out early Friday morning in the heart of Lawrenceville.

Firefighters were called to Pesaro’s Pizza on Butler Street around 1:30 a.m. Crews prevented flames from spreading far, but smoke entered several surrounding businesses.

“There’s a lot of smoky soot on different surfaces here. It’s super smelly and stinky in here, and we’re pretty nervous about how much loss is gonna happen. We’re not sure if we’re going to be able to sell the majority of our goods,” said Jessica Graves, CEO and founder of Una Biologicals, a small business specializing in organic products.

The smoke damage has forced Graves to close her store for the time being. She is directly next to the pizza shop, which was boarded up by late morning.

Graves is grateful that no one was hurt in the fire, and that she has insurance. She told Channel 11 that the business also recently moved its manufacturing space elsewhere, so a lot of raw materials were spared.

But, the situation is nonetheless hard for her and all of the owners impacted, especially during the pandemic.

“We know our customers will be very supportive,” Graves said. “I’m just going to focus on that and be grateful that things weren’t worse.”

No word yet on how the fire started.

RAW: Fire on Butler Street in Lawrenceville

Cox Media Group