SOUTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Multiple people were hospitalized after a fire broke out at an apartment building in South Strabane Township early Thursday morning, officials said.
Flames and smoke were coming from the sixth floor of the Thomas Campbell Apartments on Beech Street when firefighters got there. They were called to the building for a kitchen fire.
There were people screaming from their balconies for help.
“There were still a lot of people that were out on the balconies screaming and wanting assistance to get down,” South Strabane Fire Chief Scott Reese said. “As resources came in, we were able to get crews up to the fire floor and the fire floor above and the fire floor below and assist in getting people down and out.”
About 100 people were evacuated from the building, which has 124 apartment units.
Paula Key lives in the building. She heard the fire alarm and tried to get out, but when she opened her door she saw flames and smoke coming from an apartment down the hall.
“It was full of smoke. I saw the fire shoot out into the hallway,” Key said. “It was scary, but I was helping people down the steps. I had to get them out of the building.”
Reese said at least four people were taken to hospitals. It’s unclear what their injuries or conditions are.
Some people who live in the building are elderly and needed assistance getting out. Officials said some of them use wheelchairs.
More than 40 people can’t return to their apartments at this time because of fire and water damage, according to officials. The Salvation Army and Red Cross are providing assistance.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Reese said the same building had a fire on Christmas Eve last year.
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