08/19/2026
Building Fire — First Alarm Response
Last evening at approximately 8:53 PM, the Baden Fire Department’s First Alarm Assignment was dispatched for a reported building fire at a multifamily apartment building. The caller reported smoke on the third floor.
Baden Fire Chief Baker responded directly from his residence and arrived on scene at approximately 8:56 PM. Although there was no visible smoke from the exterior, there was a strong odor of something burning. Chief Baker made contact with tenants who had evacuated the building and reported heavy smoke in the third-floor hallway.
Chief Baker entered the building to investigate and encountered moderate smoke conditions on the third floor. Smoke was also pushing from underneath the door of one of the apartment units.
At approximately 9:01 PM, Baden Engine 47 and Ambridge Ladder 71 arrived simultaneously and were assigned by Command to make entry into the fire apartment, extinguish the fire, and conduct a primary search for occupants.
Crews did an excellent job, quickly locating and extinguishing the fire. The primary search was completed with negative results, and it was later confirmed that the tenant of the fire apartment was not home at the time of the incident.
Additional crews from Harmony 48, Aliquippa 91, Economy 69, and Rochester 23 assisted with the operation. Crews deployed ground ladders, conducted secondary searches, checked for fire extension into other areas of the building, and assisted with ventilation.
Economy EMS, Rehab 49, and the Beaver Valley Regional Police Department also provided valuable assistance on scene.
The Baden Fire Department would like to thank all of our mutual-aid partners and supporting agencies for their quick response and assistance. Incidents like this demonstrate the importance of strong mutual-aid relationships and the ability of departments to work together when our community needs us.
Great work by all crews involved, and most importantly, no occupants or firefighters were injured.
đźš’ Baden Fire Department
🤝 Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Fun Fact / Fire Prevention
After more than a year of working with the Borough to establish the need for a fire inspection program for commercial and multifamily properties, the program was finally implemented a little over two years ago. Last night’s fire is a great example of why that program is so important.
When this building was first inspected by Chief Baker, it was found that the required smoke detectors were not in place. Working cooperatively with the property owner, the issue was corrected without resistance, and interconnected smoke detectors were installed throughout the building.
Those detectors were in place when last night’s fire occurred, helping provide an early warning to the occupants and allowing them to evacuate safely.
This is exactly why fire prevention matters. Inspections may seem routine, but the work done before an emergency can make all the difference when an emergency happens.
