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Red Cross opens shelter at convention center for fire evacuees

At least 24 people displaced by a high-rise fire will be spending Monday night at the Red Cross' shelter, and the number could rise during the evening hours.

The Red Cross opened a shelter at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, and has had volunteers and staff there since a fire broke out Monday morning at a downtown Pittsburgh high-rise apartment building.

Volunteers met with displaced residents to assess their needs. Red Cross health professionals are helping and providing shelter, food, clothing, and replacement medication if needed. Many are still shaken after the fire that tore through the sixth and seventh floors of their high rise.

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Emergency responders evacuated more than 100 people.

"One of the tenants was banging on my door, talking about there's a fire, and smoke was filling the hallways," said resident Tyrone Peterson.

Many of those in Midtown Towers initially moved across Liberty Avenue to the K&L Gates Center lobby, where the Red Cross of Western Pennsylvania brought water and food for evacuees and first responders.

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"We want to make sure everybody has a safe place to stay, food, clothing," said Red Cross spokesman Dan Tobin. "If medications need to be replaced, we'll help with that as well."

Officials have not said how long it will be before residents are allowed back into Midtown Towers. The Red Cross will keep the shelter open as long as necessary.

"I even had to get my oxygen checked because once I got outside I was choking, and couldn't stop coughing," said evacuee Nafessah Johnson. She was doing what she could to keep her son calm.

"He wants to go home, and right now we can't. It's hard," she said.

 

Cox Media Group

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