Convention center sheltering displaced people after shelter fire

A fire at Second Avenue Commons in downtown Pittsburgh forced more than 180 people to seek alternative shelter Tuesday evening.

“Everybody freaked out and got out,” said visitor Billy Haes.

Four firefighters were injured while working to contain the fire, which first responders said started in a rooftop air conditioning unit. The residents escaped unharmed.

“We dodged a bullet. Everyone was evacuated safely,” said Allegheny County Council Chairman Patrick Catena.

Hours after that fire, Allegheny County DHS and community partners set up an emergency shelter inside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and began transporting people.

The evening session ended around 11 p.m. Tuesday. It is not yet clear how long accommodation will be provided at the convention center.

“We have set up a temporary shelter in conjunction with the Red Cross, county emergency management, our emergency management, have set up a temporary shelter and are assessing the situation as it goes to determine plans and long-term strategies we need,” Pittsburgh Public said Security Director Lee Schmidt.

The shelter will provide basic necessities like food, water and a safe place to sleep. Jerrel Gilliam, executive director of Light of Life Rescue Mission, said that's protocol any time a residential building is forced to evacuate.

“People are already in bed and are assigned places for tonight. So those things are in place,” Gilliam said. “They will take turns, bring meals, come and help. And, of course, DHS takes care of everything, just making sure all the pieces are there.

Schmidt said damage assessment was ongoing. He hopes that in the next 24 to 48 hours, city and county leaders will have a better idea of ​​how long emergency shelter will be needed and how many people will need to be temporarily housed elsewhere.