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Firefighters Save Wedding, Prom Dresses From Verona Fire

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Firefighters saved some very special dresses from the scene of an apartment fire in Verona.

It started Sunday evening at an apartment building above Gloria's Fixations, an alteration shop, on East Railroad Avenue.

But as firefighters worked to put out the blaze, they also made sure to save some things from the bottom floor of the building: wedding and prom dresses that were being altered.

"There was a wedding in about ... a week-and-a-half," said Verona Mayor Dave Ricupero, "and the dresses were all in there and they went in there and they saved the dress."

The fire was contained to the second floor, but firefighters from three communities worked to put it out.

"It was a hot fire before we got here, it was rolling pretty good," said Verona Fire Chief Ray Suchevich. "So we got a lot of fire knocked down before we could get inside and then once we got inside, the roof collapsed, so we had to pull our guys out."

Many of the dresses have smoke damage and it's unclear if they can be saved, but it's better than them going up in flames.

Suchevich says the prom dresses can be replaced, since most dances aren't until May, but firefighters felt it was especially important to grab the wedding dresses.

Sarah Arbogast reports:

"We felt it was important to get the wedding dresses to see if we could save those, because the wedding is in two weeks," he said.

The Red Cross is also providing clothing, shelter and food for three adults and one child who lived above the shop.

Stay with KDKA for more information.

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