WILMERDING (KDKA) – Two people escaped a house fire in Wilmerding without injury because of some quick actions by police.

According to officials at the scene, the fire broke out in the 400-block of Patton Street shortly after 2 a.m.

The fire began in the attic on the third floor of the home and spread to the second floor.

North Versailles Township Police Officer Kirt Kotchig spotted the fire while on his normal patrol and called emergency dispatchers.

Officer Kotchig, along with two officers from North Versailles and one from Turtle Creek, broke down the door of the home.

“He noticed smoke and as he went to investigate, he [saw] flames coming out of the third floor,” North Versailles Police Chief Vincent DiCenzo Jr. said.

The officers found two people asleep inside the home and woke them up to get them out.

“We don’t carry equipment to make rescues like that. But, you put your own life in danger when you’re entering a burning building,” Chief DiCenzo Jr. said.

No one was injured in the fire.

Fire crews arrived and were able to quickly knock the fire down.

“The occupants were out. We had heavy fire showing from the third floor. Crews made an aggressive attack and got water on it real quick,” Wilmerding Fire Chief Tom Hartzell said.

The cause of the fire is unknown and fire marshals have been called in to investigate.

The Red Cross was called in to see if assistance was needed.

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