A fire broke out early Friday evening in downtown Pittsburgh as the first day of the annual Three Rivers Arts Festival got underway. Downtown Fire: Watch the video above. Video shared with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 showed the blaze in the area of Fort Duquesne Boulevard and 8th Street in the downtown cultural district. The Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety said an overpressurized propane tank ignited in a food tent, sending one employee to the hospital in critical condition with second-degree burns. Viewers told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 they heard a loud bang and the tent quickly became engulfed in flames. “We heard a big ‘whoosh’ sound and then people started running through and saying get the hell out of here, it’s going to explode,” festival director Bill Gilmore said. “We were shocked and surprised. When it exploded, everyone was really scared and concerned at first,” said Daniel Yarkey, who saw paramedics rushing to the scene. The fire broke out on Nov. 1, 2018. Sky 4, Pittsburgh’s only news helicopter, flew over the scene and aired footage of firefighters who remained near the food tents as the investigation continued. Video above: Artist describes what he saw at the fire scene. Derek Scalzotto of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust said the fire started in the kitchen area of the festival’s food court. “Our understanding is that it has to do with a propane tank incident and subsequent explosion,” Scalzotto said. “This is an isolated incident and it has to do with kitchen equipment.” The festival continued Friday night. The Allegheny County Health Department will determine when the food court will reopen. This is an evolving story. Stay with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 for the latest updates. Download the WTAE mobile app for breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletter to get breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
Pittsburgh —
A fire broke out in downtown Pittsburgh early Friday evening during the opening day of the annual Three Rivers Arts Festival.
Downtown fire: Watch the video above
Video shared with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 showed flames in the area of Fort Duquesne Boulevard and 8th Street in the downtown Cultural District.
The Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety said an over-pressurized propane tank caught fire in a food tent, leaving one employee transported to the hospital in critical condition with second-degree burns.
Viewers told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 they heard a loud bang and the tent was quickly engulfed in flames.
“We heard a loud whoosh and then we saw people running away saying it was going to explode,” festival manager Bill Gilmore said.
“It was a shock and a surprise. When it exploded, everyone was really scared and worried at first,” said Daniel Yarkey, who saw emergency personnel arrive.
The fire has been contained. Pittsburgh’s only news helicopter, Sky 4, flew over the scene and showed footage of firefighters remaining near the food tent as the investigation continued.
Video above: Artist describes what he saw at the fire scene
The fire started in the kitchen area of the festival’s food court, according to Derek Scalzotto of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
“Our understanding is that this involves a propane tank incident and subsequent explosion,” Scalzotto said. “This is an isolated incident and it involves kitchen equipment.”
The festivities continued through Friday night. The Allegheny County Health Department will decide when the food court will reopen.
This is a developing story, stay with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 for the latest updates.
To stay up to date on the latest news, download the WTAE mobile app. Sign up for our email newsletter to get the latest news straight to your inbox.
