{"id":169883,"date":"2026-04-19T03:51:24","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T03:51:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/169883\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T03:51:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T03:51:24","slug":"man-recovering-from-massive-pittsburgh-fire-describes-his-intense-escape-from-the-flames","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/169883\/","title":{"rendered":"Man recovering from massive Pittsburgh fire describes his intense escape from the flames"},"content":{"rendered":"

PITTSBURGH \u2014 A man is recovering after a house fire destroyed two homes on Ligonier Street<\/a> on Tuesday, leaving him injured and without the pets he says meant everything to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI woke up, and I see a little bit of smoke come up and I\u2019m like, \u2018Oh boy, what\u2019s with all this smoke? Did I leave the oven on or something?\u2019\u201d Joshua Ricci said.<\/p>\n

Within seconds, he said the situation turned dangerous.<\/p>\n

Ricci told Channel 11 he ran to check his attic, but when he opened the door, he was hit with intense heat.<\/p>\n

PHOTOS: 4 injured in massive Pittsburgh fire<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe moment I open it, I just get flashed with heat. There\u2019s fire engulfed everywhere. The entire house engulfed in flames,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

With no clear way out, Ricci said he made a split-second decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe entire house is engulfed, I\u2019m burning, I feel the heat, so I immediately just jump over to the next neighboring house,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Ricci suffered second and third-degree burns to his hands. <\/p>\n

Bandages now cover much of his fingers, and he also has visible injuries on his face and elbow.<\/p>\n

He said the physical pain is difficult, but the emotional toll has been even harder.<\/p>\n

Ricci said he was forced to leave behind his dog, Cooper, and his cat, Simba.<\/p>\n

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Man recovering from massive Pittsburgh fire describes his intense escape from the flames A man is recovering after a house fire destroyed two homes on Ligonier Street on Tuesday, leaving him injured and without the pets he says meant everything to him. (WPXI\/WPXI)<\/p>\n

\u201cI miss him so much every day because my cat would get me through so many rough spots in life whenever I was down,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Ricci is now staying with family as he begins the process of rebuilding.<\/p>\n

Despite everything he has lost, he said he is grateful to be alive.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m lucky to be alive. I\u2019m lucky I woke up when I did. Otherwise, any later, I probably would not have made it,\u201d Ricci said.<\/p>\n

Ricci\u2019s mom also suffered burns and smoke inhalation.<\/p>\n

Fire officials have not said what caused the fire.<\/p>\n

You can donate to a GoFundMe here: https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/rebuilding-after-the-fire-support-for-our-family-yych2<\/a><\/p>\n

Ricci also said anyone who wants to help can also send items to the Mt. Oliver Post Office at 140 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15210. <\/p>\n

Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n

TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n

\u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n