PITTSBURGH — Three firefighters were hurt in a flashover while responding to a suspected arson fire Monday morning.
While firefighters were battling the blaze, a room on the third-floor of a converted apartment building reached about 1,100 degrees and ignited, according to WPXI.
“At that point you hear that call come in and I focus my effort and manpower on accountability and getting our guys out of there,” Battalion Chief Tim Kopicko said.
Officials say the fire was started by James Casson, 18, who lived in a care home near where the fire broke out. A witness said Casson was on the roof of his home and was igniting towels and clothes and tossing them onto the roof next door.
Casson is expected to face arson charges.
The residents of the burning building escaped without injury.
Two of the firefighters were treated for burns and released. The third is still at the hospital being treated for burns to his back.