HOMEWOOD (KDKA) – Two people were taken to the hospital after a fire spread through row houses in Homewood Monday morning.

According to officials at the scene, the fire broke out at 808 North Murtland Street around 3:45 a.m.

When firefighters first arrived, they found an elderly woman hanging out of a window at 810 North Murtland Street screaming for help.

Firefighters went inside and carried the 78-year-old woman to safety. Her 81-year-old husband was able to escape, but both were taken to UPMC Shadyside for smoke inhalation.

It is believed that resident in three other homes in the line of row houses were able to get out safely.

“We believe it started in 808. That was where the initial call came in for, but arson will determine exactly where it began,” Battalion Chief Robert Cox said.

In all, 17 people were displaced out of the four affected homes. The Red Cross is providing those individuals with food, clothing and shelter.

“Everything’s lost. I lost everything in my back, in my son’s room. Everything’s gone. I lost it all, everything. I don’t know where we’re going, what we’re going to do, but we’re homeless now I guess,” one woman said.

In addition to smoke and water damage, firefighters said the roof was badly burned.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and the total damage is estimated at $70,000.

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