The property manager of a Shadyside high-rise apartment building that was evacuated this morning due to a fire said early indications are that the blaze might have started in a piece of exercise equipment in a tenant’s ninth-floor apartment.

“We believe that it was some type of new piece of equipment that malfunctioned,” said David McCloskey, property manager for the Cathedral Mansions Apartments in the 4700 block of Ellsworth Avenue.  “It was something the tenant had for two days. It was charging and something happened with the battery. The battery exploded.”

Mr. McCloskey cautioned that the fire remained under investigation and authorities had not made any official determination as to the cause.

As of late this morning, all tenants except for those on the ninth — and top — floor were allowed back into their units, Mr. McCloskey said. Ellsworth Avenue has reopened to traffic.

The fire broke out in a ninth-story apartment around 9 a.m., leading the property management staff to go door to door in the 200-unit building alerting tenants while smoke detectors sounded.

Pittsburgh firefighters responded around 9 a.m.

The fire was brought under control within a half hour, said Emily Schaffer, a public safety spokeswoman.

One resident was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

Ms. Schaffer said the fire was contained to one unit but other units had minor smoke damage. However, Mr. McCloskey said no other units were damaged.

“It was built like a fort,” Mr. McCloskey said of the building, which is owned by Empire Associates.

A decision about when to let tenants return to the ninth floor will be made later today, he said. A property restoration company will assess the damage, he added.

Jonathan D. Silver: jsilver@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1962 or on Twitter @jsilverpg.

First Published: June 4, 2016, 1:53 p.m.
Updated: June 4, 2016, 3:58 p.m.