‘She was a joy’ Maple Ridge tenants come together in grief after 2-year-old dies from apartment fire

PITTSBURGH — Praise Lemons was energetic and loving, and at two years old, she was the youngest of four children.

The little girl tragically died Friday night shortly after firefighters rescued Praise, her mother and sister from their burning apartment in the Maple Ridge complex in Pittsburgh’s East Hills neighborhood.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Child dies after fire at East Hills apartment building; another child in critical condition

Arthur Jones lived across the hall from the family. He said he was heartbroken.

“She was a joy,” he said. “She was a light. She definitely made you smile. She was all of our favorite[s]. Everybody up here, that was our Praise. She was amazing, and she has her wings and she’s going be more amazing.”

Praise’s five-year-old sister is still in the hospital but has been upgraded to stable condition. Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said the children and their mother went to the hospital with burn injuries and smoke inhalation. The mother was treated and left the hospital a short time later.

PHOTOS: Crews respond to mass casualty incident in Pittsburgh’s East Hills

“I’m just hoping they’re pulling through,” said Harry Watts who knows the family.

The fire forced 11 families out.

Jones said Praise’s mother is a single mom who has three other kids.

“Her mom’s even amazing, a great woman,” he said, “It’s really hard and she’s been thought a lot.”

Through their grief and pain, the tight-knit community in East Hills is coming together.

“We’re just wrapping our arms around the community, just trying to make sure we’re here for them,” Watts said. “We are strong together.”

Local groups, including the REACH program and a trauma and intervention specialist, were on hand Saturday to help families.

“This is a very tragic loss,” said Dr. Staci Ford, a trauma, intervention & resource specialist. “A lot of folks are still in a lot of shock. They don’t know what they’re feeling. They don’t know how to express it. We have gotten together, and I told them if they need to scream, if they need to be angry, let it out.”

The groups are working with local leaders to find new homes for the displaced families while tenants are collecting donations to help them get back on their feet.

“We’re always here for each other,” Jones said. “Anybody needs anything, we’re here.”

Items, including clothing, food and household furniture, can be dropped off at the community room at Maple Ridge Apartments. The community room will be open during the day. For after-hours, people can contact Harry Watts with REACH at 412-287-5377, or Dr. Staci Ford at 412-277-4616.

People can also donate to the mother who lost her daughter on a GoFundMe page. Channel 11 is working on confirm that campaign and will attach the link for donations as soon as soon as we can.

Meantime, the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. Public safety officials said the fire was not due to an electrical issue or a malfunctioning space heater.

City Councilman Khari Mosley said Mayor Ed Gainey and he visited Maple Ridge Apartments following the deadly fire. Mosley issued a statement expressing his condolences and vowing to “work tirelessly to address the deplorable living conditions” at the property.

Mosely’s statement said in part, “While our top priority is to support the victims of last night’s fire, we must also address the crisis in our city regarding the housing conditions for our most vulnerable residents.”

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