Smoking sparked a fire at a Brentwood apartment building on Easter Sunday, resulting in some of its residents dangling from windows to escape the smoke and flames.

The fire at Brentwood Manor in the 3300 block of Brownsville Road was reported around 9:30 a.m. April 12.

The fire was caused by “improperly discarded smoking material in the first-floor apartment,” said Matt Brown, Allegheny County chief of emergency services and fire marshal.

It was ruled an accidental fire, he said.

Damage was estimated at more than $500,000, Brown said.

More than 40 people lived in the building’s 36 units, according to John Balkovec, deputy chief of Brentwood Emergency Medical Services.

The first arriving firefighters that morning found heavy smoke and fire, and people hanging out of windows, Balkovec said. Firefighters used ladders to rescue about a dozen people.

Eight people were taken to hospitals for treatment of smoke inhalation. A firefighter also was taken to a hospital after suffering an unspecified medical issue.

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