Mayor Ed Gainey signs emergency declaration following 2nd Avenue Commons fire

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – On Friday, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey signed an emergency declaration in response to the fire and condemnation of the Commons shelter on 2nd Avenue.

Mayor Gainey's signing of the declaration will direct Pittsburgh's Chief of Emergency Management, Director of City Planning and Director of Permits, Licenses and Inspections to coordinate and take necessary action. They will also be able to meet the immediate need for temporary shelter for residents affected by the fire.

“Expediting the repair and reopening of the 2nd Avenue Commons is essential for the health and safety of some of our most vulnerable residents,” said Mayor Gainey. “This order will ensure that we are able to act with the speed required to meet this moment to get this essential part of our health and social care infrastructure back into service.”

The full statement can be read on the city's website at this link.

Fire on 2nd Avenue Commons displaces nearly 200 people

Tuesday around 1:30 p.m., a fire broke out at the shelter, prompting a heavy intervention by the police and firefighters.

All 180 people living there were evacuated, and Pittsburgh Regional Transit helped transport people to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for emergency shelter.

Authorities say the fire started on the roof of an air conditioning unit. The flames caused extensive roof damage and black smoke was visible in the city center. The fire was extinguished quickly.

“There's major damage up there, on the top floor and on the roof. The windows were broken, so there was smoke and everything poured into the building. We shut off the utilities,” said Darryl Jones, fire chief for the Pittsburgh office.

Residents of 2nd Avenue Commons set out to ask questions

Days after the fire displaced residents, they are still looking for answers and a place to stay.

Utilities were shut off at Allegheny County's main shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Utilities are being shut off for safety reasons while fire damage is assessed and inspections are completed.

Allegheny County Social Services is working to find more permanent locations for people to stay. The emergency shelter will remain open for a few days.