Early morning flames in Elizabeth Township forced a couple to take a perilous leap from their burning home, resulting in injuries for both individuals; the fire broke out on Rack Street near the bustling hub of West Smithfield Street, as reported by WPXI in their coverage of the incident.
According to Elizabeth Township Fire Chief Adam Janosko, the husband and wife were believed to have escaped from a window onto a porch roof around 2 a.m.—suffering from smoke inhalation and burns; furthermore, the initial fire hydrant used by firefighters lacked adequate volume which necessitated the use of a secondary hydrant further down the street while also relying on water from nearby Lincoln Borough.
In a separate report from CBS News Pittsburgh, it was noted that the raging fire not only endangered the occupants but also caused collateral damage, with several nearby homes experiencing broken windows due to the intense heat; per KDKA's overnight unit, heavy damage was visible at the scene, and at least one dog was reported to be inside at the fire's onset, its fate yet unclear.
The couple's injuries are not life-threatening, but the incident highlights how quickly disaster can strike. The Allegheny County Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire, and no firefighters were injured.
