Early yesterday morning, a fire broke out at Ross Park Mall, requiring multiple fire departments to invest hours in extinguishing a blaze that had ignited beneath the concrete floors. According to WPXI, first responders were called to the scene around 4:15 a.m. and focused their efforts near the rear entrance between Dick’s Sporting Goods and JCPenney. The source of the fire was traced to an underground conduit near Warby Parker.
Ross Township Deputy Chief of Police Brian Kohlhepp revealed, in a report shared by WPXI, that the incident transpired amidst an extensive construction project aimed at replacing the floors at one of the mall's entrances. While cutting through rebar, sparks ignited the old cardboard beneath the concrete, which resulted in combustion. The Fire Department called the fire "stubborn" on social media, indicating that the ordeal lasted for at least six hours.
Despite the heavy smoke and elevated carbon monoxide levels found within the mall, no injuries occurred, Kohlhepp affirmed. He added that after thorough testing by fire crews, the mall was deemed secure and reopened later the same day. The information provided by WTAE concurred with the reopening, mentioning that the air quality was safe for breathing and the public was allowed back in by noon.
Meanwhile, an additional accident involving a fire department vehicle was mentioned by Deputy Chief Kohlhepp on its way to the site from North Huntingdon. Intent on helping to ventilate the mall, the vehicle crashed when it collided with a car at an intersection, according to Kohlhepp, as told to WTAE. Although no severe injuries were reported, three firefighters received medical attention at a hospital due to the incident.
