Pittsburgh, PA – On Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at approximately 12:37 p.m. Allegheny 9-1-1 received multiple calls reporting a structure fire at 3326 Gass Avenue, located in the Brighton Heights section of the City of Pittsburgh. The following units were dispatched on the initial assignment; 35 Engine, 37 Engine, 34 Engine, 34 Truck, 4011 (District Battalion Chief), 30 Engine (Go Team), 4014 (Safety Chief), MAC-2 (Mobile Cascade Unit), Rescue 2 and a Medic unit.

City of Pittsburgh Zone 1 Police OIC arrived on the scene within minutes and confirmed a working structure fire, all occupants are accounted for. 35 Engine arrived on the scene and reported heavy fire and smoke issuing from side “C” of at least two, 2 ½ story wood frame residential structures with immediate exposure problems. Command requested an immediate 2nd alarm assignment. The following units were dispatched on the 2nd alarm; 4 Engine, 32 Engine, 32 Truck, 401 (Deputy Chief) and 614 (Training Academy Chief).

35 Engine positioned on side “A” of the structures, 34 Engine and 34 Truck were positioned on Stokes Way, on side “B” of the structure. 34 Truck set up for aerial operations and 34 Engine set up deck gun operations. Crews placed several large caliber attack lines in operation. Crews set up an attack line on the side “D” exposure, in efforts to protect it from the radiant heat. Crews had the bulk of the fire knocked down within 30 minutes. Command placed the fire under control at approximately 1:25 p.m. Crews remained on the scene for an extended period of time, extinguishing hot spots.

Salvation Army personnel were on the scene with their mobile canteen unit, providing cold drinks and snacks to the emergency personnel. The City of Pittsburgh Arson Squad was called to the scene to investigate the fire, which damaged three residential structures. The cause of the fire is under investigation.