On Thursday, January 05, 2006 at approximately7:28 a.m. Allegheny 9-1-1 received numerous reports of a structure fire, at Xpressions Bar located at 631 Oakwood Street in the Homewood section of Pittsburgh. The following units were dispatched on the initial zone 3-15 assignment; 17 Engine, 15 Engine, 18 Engine, 17 Truck, BC-3 (District Battalion Chief), 19 Engine (Go Team), BC-2 (Safety Officer), MAC-2 (Mobile Cascade Unit), Rescue 1 and a Medic unit.

First arriving units reported heavy smoke issuing from Xpressions Bar, which was the middle unit of a commercial two-story brick row of four structures. An immediate 2nd alarm assignment was requested. The following units were dispatched on the 2nd alarm; 8 Engine, 12 Engine, 8 Truck and 404 (Deputy Chief Walz). First arriving crews advanced an attack line and made entry into the fire building. Interior crews encountered very heavy fire conditions, with very heavy and increasing smoke conditions.

Truck 17 was set up for aerial operations in sector 1, Truck 8 upon arriving on the scene, set up for aerial operations on the sector 4 side of the building. Interior crews advised command that interior conditions were rapidly deteriorating. Heavy brown smoke continued to intensify and billow from multiple structures within the row. Command ordered all crews out of the building, due to the increasing risk of a back draft occurring. All crews evacuated the structure and were accounted for. The fire rapidly ran the walls into the common attic and roof area of the entire building. A defensive attack was established, with two aerial master streams, several deck guns and multiple attack lines.

Command requested a 3rd alarm assignment for additional manpower and water supply at approximately 7:45 a.m. The following units were dispatched on the 3rd alarm; 7 Engine and 10 Engine. Command requested an additional Truck be added to the 3rd alarm assignment, to be utilized for aerial operations in sector 3. 6 Truck was dispatched to complete the 3rd alarm. Shortly after the 3rd alarm was requested, heavy fire broke through the roof of the building, minimizing the risk of a back draft. Two firefighters who were operating in sector 3, sustained injuries when a rear wooden fire escape collapsed. The firefighters were evaluated by EMS, and then transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Upon arriving on the scene, 6 Truck set up for aerial master stream operations in sector 3. Additional Engines hit several hydrants to supply the aerial master streams. Command requested a 4th alarm assignment for additional manpower at approximately 7:55 a.m. The following units were dispatched on the 4th alarm; 6 Engine, 4 Engine and Official 4 (Chief Huss). Crews continued with a full scale defensive attack, pouring copious amounts of water into and onto the building. Crews also concentrated efforts on protecting a two-story brick, multi-family dwelling exposure in sector 4.

Crews battled the intense, stubborn fire for several hours before knocking down the main body of fire. Command placed the fire under control at approximately 11:00 a.m. Crews remained on the scene for an extended period of time dousing numerous hot spots. Firefighters confined the fire to the building of origin. The exposure in sector 4 sustained minimal water damage. The City of Pittsburgh Arson Squad was called to the scene to investigate the fire, which caused an estimated $175,000 in damages. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.