Firefighters brought a large fire under control after flames tore through a vacant former church in Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington neighborhood on Tuesday evening. The three-alarm blaze sent heavy smoke into the sky and required a large emergency response.
Officials said the fire started at the former Grandview United Presbyterian Church on Grandview Avenue. Crews worked for several hours before bringing the fire under control shortly before 9 p.m.
Firefighters remained at the scene after the main flames were knocked down. They continued putting out hotspots to prevent the fire from spreading or restarting.
One firefighter was taken to a hospital by emergency medical crews for evaluation. Officials have not released details about the firefighter’s condition.
Authorities also asked the public to stay away from the area during the emergency response. Grandview Avenue between Shiloh Street and Bertha Street was closed while firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
Assistant Fire Chief Mathew Davis said the size and design of the building made firefighting efforts much more difficult.
He explained that the former church had several floors, many walls, and a complex layout. Changes made to the building over the years also created extra challenges for emergency crews.
Firefighters searched through different sections of the structure as they worked to stop the flames. Davis said crews often found new pockets of fire while already battling other parts of the building.
The vacant church suffered heavy fire damage during the incident. Officials have not yet said whether any part of the building can be saved.
Investigators are now working to determine what caused the fire. No official cause has been announced, and the investigation remains active.
During the emergency response, police also arrested a man at the scene.
Public safety officials identified him as 23-year-old Colton Normand. Authorities said he had an active warrant from Idaho.
Officials said he was taken into custody on charges that include obstructing emergency services and providing false identification.
Authorities stressed that the charges against Normand are not connected to the cause of the fire. The investigation into the blaze is separate from the criminal case.
The former Grandview United Presbyterian Church has been vacant since it closed in late 2022.
The property has recently been the focus of redevelopment discussions in the Mount Washington neighborhood.
Last month, community leaders held a public meeting to discuss possible changes to zoning rules along part of Grandview Avenue.
The proposed plans include replacing the former church with a multi-unit condominium building. Local officials have been gathering public feedback as redevelopment plans move through the review process.
The fire could affect those future plans, depending on the outcome of the investigation and the condition of the property after the damage is fully assessed.
Large vacant buildings can present major challenges during fires because of their size, age, and changing interior layouts. Fire crews often face hidden fire paths, unstable structures, and limited visibility caused by thick smoke.
Emergency officials continue to remind people to avoid entering abandoned buildings because they can become dangerous even before a fire begins.
Residents in the Mount Washington area saw large flames and thick smoke rising from the church as firefighters worked to control the blaze.
The quick response from multiple fire crews helped stop the fire from spreading to nearby buildings despite the difficult conditions inside the structure.
Officials have not reported any injuries to nearby residents or additional firefighters.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Authorities are expected to examine the scene once it is safe to enter the damaged building.
For now, emergency officials say firefighters will continue monitoring the site until all remaining hotspots are fully extinguished. Investigators will then work to determine how the fire started and whether any further action is needed as the investigation moves forward.
