Swissvale Fire crews were dispatched to assist the City of Duquesne with an apartment complex fire. The fire began shortly after 10:30 am and quickly spread. Swissvale crews were dispatched as an additional Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) and 278 Chief was designated as the RIT Commander by the Incident Commander (133 Assistant)..

Firefighters from Swissvale (278), Munhall #4 (203), Edgewood (137) and Glassport (161) served as RIT crews and several of these firefighters also assisted in fire suppression efforts.

About 2 hours or so into the incident, there was a report of a possible firefighter trapped on the first floor, which initiated a RIT activation. RIT crews from 278 and 137 activated from side Alpha and side Charlie. Both teams worked quickly to search all apartments on the first floor. All apartments were searched and determined to be clear. Command initiated a PAR check, confirming all firefighters were out of the building.

Firefighters from 20 fire companies responded to the blaze. Swissvale Fire crews did not return until after 5:00 pm.

24 of the 40 units in the building were destroyed.

Penn Hills Station 221 transferred into Swissvale to cover the community during this incident.

Photo Credit to First Due Photography