Published on December 05, 2025
At approximately 1:20 a.m., Pittsburgh Fire was dispatched to the 300 block of North Negley Avenue in East Liberty for multiple calls to 911 reporting a structure fire in a vacant apartment building.
Firefighters arrived to the one-alarm fire and saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear of the first floor of the building. There were also four people on a second-floor balcony who were shouting for assistance.
As Engine 8 began to attack the fire, Trucks 6 and 8 began rescuing the individuals from the balcony.
Two of the four people from the balcony were transported in stable condition by Pittsburgh EMS to area hospitals. One was being evaluated for smoke inhalation and the second sustained cuts to their hands while trying to break a window to escape.
Witnesses reported there were additional people in the building at the time of the fire who all safely self-evacuated and left the scene prior to first responders arriving.
While the exact cause of the fire is under investigation, it has been determined the fire originated in the rear of the first floor and, at this time, appears to be accidental in nature.
The Fire Investigation Unit is continuing to investigate.