Five Firefighters Injured in 5-Alarm Homestead Fire
ICARO Media Group
In Homestead, Pennsylvania, a 5-alarm fire broke out on Saturday morning, leaving five firefighters injured in their valiant efforts to put out the blaze. The incident occurred on the 200 block of East 17 Avenue, prompting a swift response from fire crews, police, and EMS who were dispatched just before 9:30 a.m.
Videos captured at the scene show thick smoke and intense flames emanating from the attic of one of the buildings. The fire originated in a residential building but quickly spread to two neighboring structures due to the extreme cold and strong winds prevailing at the time.
Chief Matt Brown of Allegheny County Emergency Services reported that the fire was finally deemed under control at around 1 p.m., after several hours of strenuous efforts by at least a dozen fire departments. Despite the challenging weather conditions, the response teams worked tirelessly to combat the inferno.
During the firefighting operations, five of the brave firefighters sustained injuries. Two individuals even fell through the floor while battling the flames. However, Chief Brown assured the public that none of the injuries were life-threatening.
Safety concerns escalated as the frigid temperatures caused numerous obstacles for the fire crews. Fire hydrants froze, rendering them unusable, while trucks, pumps, tanks, and hoses also suffered from freezing. Additionally, the icy conditions posed further risks to the emergency personnel on site.
Multiple organizations, including the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, joined the response effort, offering their support and resources to aid those affected by the fire. The Allegheny County Fire Marshal's Office is currently investigating the cause of the devastating incident.
As the situation continues to develop, crews will remain on site to monitor for any potential hot spots and commence the cleanup process. Chief Brown emphasized that there is still significant work to be done in this regard.
This news article will be updated as more information becomes available from Channel 11 News, ensuring the public stays informed on this unfortunate incident.