2 people taken to hospital from Swissvale fire that damaged 6 apartments

SWISSVALE, Pa. — Two people were taken to a hospital after a multi-alarm fire at an apartment building in Swissvale.

An Allegheny County 911 dispatcher tells Channel 11 that firefighters were called to the 500 block of Smokey Wood Drive at 12:38 p.m.

Swissvale Fire Chief Clyde Wilhelm tells Channel 11 that two people were trapped in an apartment when firefighters got on scene, and were located hanging out of a window. They were rescued and taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation. Wilhelm wasn’t aware of their current conditions.

While the Allegheny County fire marshal’s investigation is ongoing, Wilhelm says that the initial investigation indicates the fire began when a candle fell on a couch.

“Allegedly, the occupant had lit a cigarette with her candle and set it on the edge of her couch, and when she adjusted herself, the candle fell into the cushions and created this whole incident,” Wilhelm said.

Wilhelm says six apartments were damaged, and those residents will be displaced.

A Red Cross spokesperson confirms the organization is assisting the residents who’ve been displaced.

In a social media post, Swissvale Fire Department officials cautioned members of the public about using candles in their homes.

Officials noted statistics from the National Fire Protection Association that say half of all candle fires start when a flammable piece of décor is too close to a lit candle.

Candles cause 4% of reported house fires, 3% of house fire deaths, 6% of house fire injuries and 4% of direct property damage to homes, officials added.

The post included photos of damage from Saturday’s fire, and a photo of a broken and dirty candle.

Shawn Brown, who lives on the first floor, described the terrifying experience as the fire spread.

“Panic. You just panicked,” Brown said. “You’re like, ‘Oh my God, this is stuff I see on TV.’”

Brown, who is disabled, said the smoke made it difficult to see and forced her to evacuate on her own.

“Just black, billowing smoke. I mean, you just couldn’t see anything,” she said. “And I’m disabled, I had to roll myself out.”

Brown’s apartment suffered heavy smoke damage.

She said she’s grateful that she’s being relocated but still must find temporary housing.

“They’re going to find an apartment for us on Thursday, but I have to find housing between now and Thursday,” she said.

Marion Holt, a third-floor resident in a neighboring building, told Channel 11 that the two people seen hanging from the window were her daughter and grandson.

“They were going to jump,” Holt said. “They would’ve never made it.”

Firefighters were able to rescue them using a ladder.

Holt says the fire brings attention to a larger safety concern at the complex.

“Interestingly enough, there are no fire escapes around here,” she said.

Despite the loss, residents say they are thankful that everyone survived.

“Luckily, I was in an apartment where I’m on the ground floor and I didn’t have any problems getting out,” Brown said.

According to property management, displaced residents will be placed in a hotel until new apartments can be arranged.

Officials also said residents will be allowed to return briefly to collect their belongings by appointment.

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