A third-floor fire led to the evacuation of 15 to 20 people from two apartment buildings in Homestead.
The two-alarm blaze occurred Wednesday shortly before 10:30 p.m. at an apartment building at 106 E. Eighth Ave.
"We conducted a search," Homestead Volunteer Fire Co. Chief Bill Purifoy said. "Everybody got out."
He said the fire was in the front room of the third floor.
"We had the fire knocked down in probably 45 minutes," Purifoy said.
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause.
The first floor of the apartment building includes the southern/soul food restaurant Yvette's on 8th.
The neighboring apartment building also was evacuated.
"I had my headset on and my roommate came in and made a gesture," said Patrick Widmyer, who lives in the neighboring apartment.
"About a minute and a half later I smelled the smoke."
Homestead Mayor Betty Esper, who was at the fire scene, said she heard about the fire on her way from bingo.
Numerous local fire companies were called in to assist.
The Salvation Army was on scene to provide refreshments and aid to emergency responders and fire victims.
The American Red Cross Western Pennsylvania Chapter also was called to the scene.
