August 1st, 2007 - Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County, PA -- Police spotted fire and reported it to AC911, as C-305 arrived on scene, he reported as being a working fire and requested a 2nd and 3rd alarm. After about 30 minutes, C-305 and Pittsburgh Unit 40 (Asst chief Deleonibus) requested evacuation of fire fighters and a defense operations only. 8T,17T, T-305 used ladder pipe operations, E-15, E-305-1,E-305-3 used deck gun ops and several hand lines in use from exterior.

4 story apartment building, 2 top floors well involved, Wine & Spirits on ground floor, total loss and Jackson Hewitt tax service got some damage also from water. One hell of a fire. At 1600 hours, 305 still had crew on scene.

1st Alarm: E-305-1,E-305-2,T-305.C-305
2nd alarm: Sta. 305 off-duty call back, E-305-3
3rd alarm: Pittsburgh zone 3-15--E-17,15,18,8 T-17, E-19 (RIT), BC-3,BC-2, MAC-2,Salvation Army
4th alm: PBF 2nd alarm-12,7E, 8T, U-614, Unit 40,41,42

3E,10E, 6T were called in to relieve crews also. E-153 also did some overhaul.

E-153 was on standby in Station 305, Truck 278 was on standby at station 278 for 305.

ACFM and Pittsburgh Fire investigation unit on scene investigating the cause.

No injuries, 10 residents homeless now, but safe, good job to 305,PBF, 153.

Story & Photos by Don Montgomery