A man who was injured and transported from the scene of Tuesday's early-morning fire at the Murray Towers high-rise in Squirrel Hill died later that day of his injuries, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office, which released its findings on Wednesday.

Bruce Pitzer, 63, died as a result of "thermal and inhalation" injuries, the office said.

A county spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday that Mr. Pitzer was one of the victims initially taken from the scene of the fire, which occurred around 4:20 a.m. Tuesday. Mr. Pitzer, who had been taken to UPMC Mercy, was pronounced dead at 11:39 p.m..

The medical examiner ruled his death an accident.

More than 80 people were evacuated from the eight-floor apartment complex in the 2800 block of Murray Avenue when the fire broke out. Some 80 to 100 people live in the high-rise.

When firefighters arrived, they found a man — Mr. Pitzer — in the stairwell suffering from burns that were initially characterized by police as minor.

Paramedics also treated a woman on scene for smoke inhalation.

Police said the fire was contained to one apartment on the third floor but smoke damage on that floor was extensive.

After the fire, Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said “we probably averted a tragedy.”

On Wednesday evening, a city public safety spokeswoman said a cause of the fire had not yet been determined. 

First Published: December 6, 2017, 8:45 p.m.