A devastating fire at the Maple Ridge Apartments in Pittsburgh's East Hills neighborhood claimed the life of a two-year-old child and left another in critical condition. The fire, which erupted on the complex's third floor around 9 p.m. yesterday, resulted in the deployment of emergency crews to the scene of what has been described as a two-alarm fire.
According to WPXI, authorities were alerted to the fire at approximately 9:05 p.m. The blaze was quickly elevated due to the severity and the reports of people trapped inside. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased child as Praise Lemons, aged 2. The injured included another child who is now in critical condition and an adult whose extent of their injuries has yet to be disclosed.
Emergency responders carried out rescues that involved pulling three victims from inside the burning apartment through a window. "We had some people go into the windows and they brought them down the stairs," Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Chief Darryl Jones stated, as per WTAE. In the aftermath, the entire apartment building was evacuated, and residents were aided by the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, who were on the scene to assist.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Some residents suggested to reporters that a space heater might have been the source, but fire officials have not yet confirmed this.
