Pittsburgh, PA – On Monday, July 30, 2007 at approximately 5:59 a.m. Allegheny 9-1-1 received a report of smoke coming from the roof of an abandoned building, located at the intersection of East Liberty Boulevard and Borland Street, in the East Liberty section of the City of Pittsburgh. The following units were dispatched on the initial assignment; 8 Engine, 7 Engine, 6 Engine, 8 Truck, 4033 (District Battalion Chief), 17 Engine (Go Team), 4032 (Safety Chief), MAC-2 (Mobile Cascade Unit), Rescue 1 and a Medic unit.

First arriving unit reported heavy smoke issuing from the roof of a three-story brick vacant apartment building. Command reported that this was the same structure of an earlier overnight fire. Crews set up for defensive operations, utilizing deck guns, aerial master stream and attack lines. The fire quickly made headway, with heavy fire conditions evident on the upper floor and roof area. Command requested a 2nd alarm assignment at approximately 6:30 a.m. The following units were dispatched on the 2nd alarm; 18 Engine, 3 Engine, 6 Truck, 403 (Deputy Chief) and 614 (Training Academy Chief).

Engine 7 was set up for deck gun operations on side “B”, 8 Truck was set up for aerial operations on the A/B corner of the structure. Upon arriving on the scene, 6 Truck was set up for aerial operations on side “A”. Heavy fire and thick smoke continued to vent from the roof and the upper floor on sides “A” and “B”. Command requested a 3rd alarm for additional manpower at approximately 6:55 a.m. The following units were dispatched on the 3rd alarm; 32 Engine, 15 Engine and unit 40 (Assistant Fire Chief).

At approximately 7:25 a.m. Command reported still heavy smoke from the roof and upper floor of the structure. Command reported multiple lines trained on the fire at this time, in the process of obtaining additional water supply from 3 Engine. At approximately 7:50 a.m. Command reported that operations would be shut down for a brief period of time, while 7 Engine and 8 Truck could be repositioned away from the “B” side of the structure, as the wall was weak and the probability of collapse was great.

Command placed the fire under control at approximately 8:13 a.m. Crews remained on the scene for a period of time dousing numerous hot spots. Salvation Army personnel were on the scene providing emergency personnel with drinks and snacks. The City of Pittsburgh Arson Squad was called to the scene to investigate the fire, which heavily damaged the building. The cause of the fire is under investigation.