PITTSBURGH – Allegheny County Emergency Services Chief Matt Brown provided the following statement and updated information today on this morning’s fire at Parkview Towers in Munhall:
“On behalf of Allegheny County Emergency Services, I thank all of the fire departments, police departments, EMS agencies, departments, authorities and agencies which assisted in the response to today’s fire.
“As we mentioned this morning, many individuals who reside at the facility have disabilities and move with the assistance of walkers and canes. Approximately 80 people were evacuated from the towers and moved to a shelter. We are grateful to Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church for openings its doors and providing warmth and shelter to the residents who had been displaced. In addition to the Red Cross, Allegheny County Human Services and The Salvation Army also responded to assist with housing and core needs. Additionally, the Port Authority of Allegheny County provided with temporary sheltering and transport during the transition and Allegheny County Public Works arrived to assist with road salt, barricades and other needs at the scene.
“The fire was declared under control at 6:55 AM. A total of seven patients were transported to local hospitals. Three Munhall police officers were also transported to a local hospital for smoke inhalation. We do not have any information on anyone’s conditions, types of injuries, or where they were located within the facility, and will not have that information. As noted previously, there was also one fatality for which the identification has been provided from the Medical Examiner’s Office.
“The building is owned and operated by the United Methodist Church Union (UMCU) and the building is referred to as Parkview Towers, or the Met House.
“Emergency Services assisted on-scene with coordinating priority communications and resource needs between agencies, the shelter and the building ownership. PEMA officials were also updated and have assisted with options regarding short and long-term sheltering or housing.”
Responding departments and agencies included 23 fire departments, 19 EMS agencies, 9 police departments and various others. A complete list of those responding follow:
| Munhall VFC # 1 | Munhall VFC # 2 | ||
| Munhall VFC # 3 | Munhall VFC # 4 | ||
| West Homestead VFD | Homeville VFC # 1 (West Mifflin) | ||
| Duquesne Annex VFC # 2 (West Mifflin) | West Mifflin VFC # 3 | ||
| Skyview VFC # 4 (West Mifflin) | Homestead VFD | ||
| Dravosburg VFD | Glassport VFC # 1 | ||
| North Braddock VFD | Whitaker VFD | ||
| Edgewood VFD | Jefferson 885 Area VFD (Jefferson Hills) – tanker | ||
| Lincoln VFD – tanker | Logans Ferry Heights VFD (Plum) – tanker | ||
| Sardis VFD, Westmoreland Co – tanker | Larimer VFD, Westmoreland Coy – tanker | ||
| White Valley VFD, Westmoreland Co – tanker | Washington Twp VFD, Westmoreland Co – tanker | ||
| Collinsburg VFD, Westmoreland Co – tanker | Munhall Area Prehospital Services | ||
| Baldwin EMS | Eastern Area Prehospital Services | ||
| Medical Rescue Team South | Monroeville VFC # 4 | ||
| Monroeville VFC # 6 | McKeesport Ambulance Rescue Services | ||
| Penn Hills EMS | Northwest EMS | ||
| Elizabeth Twp Area EMS | Pittsburgh EMS | ||
| Ross-West View EMS | Robinson Twp EMS | ||
| Tri-Community South EMS | Brentwood EMS | ||
| North Huntington EMS, Westmoreland Co. | Murrysville Medic One, Westmoreland Co. | ||
| UPMC Doctor | Allegheny Health Network Doctor | ||
| Munhall Police Department | West Homestead Police Department | ||
| West Mifflin Police Department | Homestead Police Department | ||
| Whitaker Police Department | Duquesne Police Department | ||
| Pittsburgh Police Department | Allegheny County Police Department | ||
| Allegheny County Sheriff | Port Authority of Allegheny County – buses | ||
| West Mifflin School District – buses | ACCESS – buses | ||
| Salvation Army | American Red Cross | ||
| Emergency Services EMA | Emergency Services Fire Marshal |
We do not expect that there will be any further information available today, but will provide updated information as it becomes available.
