Other businesses, including a credit union, beauty shop and dry cleaners, sustained smoke damage, Nevling said. The fire drew spectators to nearby parking lots and other vantage points. A portion of Route 51, from the Southland Shopping Center to Lewis Run Road, was closed because firefighters had to stretch their water hoses across it. His mother, Robin, came armed with her camera to capture the firefighters in action. The two watched as firefighters scaled aerial ladders to battle the blaze.
People take firemen for granted, but they put their lives at risk without getting paid.
A small group of Kmart employees, many visibly upset and still wearing their name tags and red vests, gathered at a nearby service station and watched the thick clouds of black smoke rise from the burned-out store. Szatkowski said workers from nearby stores were en route to give the Pleasant Hills employees rides home. It was as if they were performing for a video on how to get people out. Staff writers Jennifer McGinnis, Renee Cardelli and Susan Schmeichel contributed to this story.