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2 Killed In Friendship Apartment Building Fire

FRIENDSHIP (KDKA) - Two people were killed in an early Wednesday morning fire in Friendship.

According to officials at the scene, the fire broke out in a second floor apartment on South Graham Street shortly before 2 a.m.

"First unit was on scene at [1:50 a.m.], saw heavy fire on the second floor coming out of the front of the building. Crews then immediately went in and tried to do a search of the second and third floor," Pittsburgh Fire Chief Darryl Jones said.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. However, officials are looking into whether a 6-year-old boy in a second floor apartment may have started it.

The boy possibly lit a piece of paper on fire, which spread to a couch cushion and grew from there.

"But if he did, it's pretty heavy for anyone to have that hanging on their head, and particularly a child who may not be able to process the severity of his actions, whether intentional, or accidental, or just a kid being a kid. It's just very tragic," Amelia Jones, a neighbor, said.

The boy, his mother and two siblings were able to get out of the building safely.

Rozalyn Jackson lives on the first floor and she was also able to get out of the building safe.

"Spread so fast. The flames got so big so quick. It was really scary. I'm broken-hearted about my neighbors," Jackson said.

However, a man and woman in a third floor apartment were unable to get out and lost their lives. The man was taken to a local hospital, but later died.

"God rest their souls. I'm so sorry they didn't make it," Jackson said.

Their names have not been released at this time.

A firefighter also suffered a leg injury and was taken to the hospital.

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