Location of incident: 1100 block of Graham Avenue, Windber PA 15963

Departments operating at scene: Windber FD, Richland Twp FD, Scalp Level-Paint FD, Central City FD, Adams Twp No 1 FD, Westmont FD, Northern EMS, East Hills EMS, Windber PD, Paint Twp PD, Paint Borough PD

While Windber firefighters were spending the evening recertifying in CPR, a passerby stopped to report a structure fire in the 1100 block of Graham Avenue. As the firefighters geared up to respond, a first alarm assignment was dispatched by Somerset 911.

Arriving companies found heavy fire showing from windows on Division 3, Side A of a three-story commercial/apartment building. Arriving first, Windber's Truck 611 positioned on Side A and initiated interior fire attack. Arriving seconds later, Engine 611-1 established a water supply for Truck 611 and initiated a primary search. Within minutes after establishing command, Chief 611 requested the second alarm. Rapid intervention teams were established by an engine and rescue company from Richland Twp.

Due to the rapidly progressing fire, interior crews were evacuated from the structure and operations were switched to an exterior defensive attack. The engine companies used three hydrants to supply two master streams, three elevated master streams, and numerous hand lines. Despite the size of the fire, firefighters were able to confine it to the third floor of the fire building and prevent it from spreading to the exposures, which were only a few feet away.

The fire has been ruled accidental/electrical by the PA State Police Fire Marshall.