Just before 9:25 a.m. Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire responded to 9-1-1 calls for smoke emanating from the roof of the Gulf Tower Building, located at 707 Grant Street downtown.

Firefighters quickly located the fire in the basement of the building. The response grew to five alarms as a high-rise plan for manpower needs was put in place.  Firefighters kept the fire contained to the basement area, where they worked amid heavy smoke, debris, and extreme heat conditions. Firefighters used fans to push excess smoke through a ventilation shaft, sending it through the roof of the building. 

Meantime, another group of firefighters went floor to floor to safely evacuate occupants from the building.

Fire Chief Darryl Jones declared the fire under control at 11:36 a.m.  

Paramedics were on scene and transported one firefigher to the hospital with chest discomfort. Police secured the area and directed traffic during the response.

The exact cause of the fire will be determined by the Fire Investigation Unit.