YOUNGWOOD (KDKA) — An apartment building in Westmoreland County was destroyed early Friday morning in a massive fire.

According to emergency officials, flames were reported around 6:30 a.m. at the building located on Sunny Terrace Drive in Youngwood.

“I knew something was wrong immediately,” said Justin Tamburro, a resident of the building. “The whole place was filled with smoke.”

“We got the dogs out, and then we noticed that the side was on fire but it spread the whole way,” said Kelly Baker, a resident of the building.

Firefighters hosed down what was left of the building after the fire was brought under control Friday.

Officials say the blaze started on the second floor and left nine people homeless.

“The fire came through the attic, it’s a common attic, and got into all the apartments there,” said Chief Lloyd Crago, of the Youngwood Borough Fire Department. “It looks like all eight are a loss.”

“At first I thought it was going to be contained, but 10 minutes later, the whole place was… it was engulfed,” added Tamburro.

He and his girlfriend Kelly were able to make it out and able to save their two dogs as well.

“I don’t think our apartment burned, but it’s all underwater,” said Baker. “It’s ruined.”

The Red Cross was on the scene, helping with food, shelter and clothing. A representative said all nine people needed some sort of assistance, including Walter Link who rushed this morning to get his wife and dogs out.

“Somebody pounded on my door and said fire and I just got me and my wife out,” said Link. “I got some clothes out and my wife’s medication. So I’m just glad that we got out safe.”

Officials say all the residents were able to get out safely and there were no injuries. The cause of the fire is now under investigation.

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