FATAL FIRE
Jamie Prince, center, a longtime resident of Mount Oliver, stands in a neighbor’s yard Wednesday, surveying the damage caused by a fire that killed a young boy. Story on
A boy died Wednesday afternoon in a fire in Mount Oliver despite rescue attempts by neighbors and emergency responders.
The four-alarm blaze was reported about 4:40 p.m. in a twostory house in the 300 block of Anthony Street.
“I heard the kid crying, and I heard the family say there was a kid inside,” said neighbor Sam Bell, 42.
Mr. Bell ran into the home, but he said he couldn’t get far. He made it about 15 feet inside when the intense heat and flames forced him to retreat.
Another neighbor, Eric Johnson, 40, was trimming his hedges when he noticed smoke coming from the second floor of the home. He said he realized there was a fire when he saw Mr. Bell hop a fence and run toward the residence.
“I got my ladder and set it up on this window right here,” he said, pointing to the right side of the house. “At that point, I got a wet blanket and doused it with water.”
When Mr. Johnson returned, he continued to try to reach the child, who authorities said was believed to be 4 or 5 years old.
“I did climb up the ladder and tried to open the window,” Mr. Johnson said. “I just couldn’t do it.”
Police got on scene in under two minutes, and fire crews responded a short time later, officials said. They reported heavy smoke and flames coming from the house when they arrived.
Matt Brown, Allegheny County’s emergency services chief, said crews quickly learned a child was trapped on the second floor.
Firetrucks, police cars and ambulances were stacked up on hilly Anthony Street and clogged surrounding blocks.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but it does not appear to be suspicious, Chief Brown said.
Chief Brown said multiple police officers and firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene, but none of them had to go to the hospital.
Neighbors said they did not know the occupants of the house well; they said the family moved in only about one or two months ago.
The houses on either side of the one that burned sustained minor damage.