NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA – Around 9:30 AM on Sunday, June 29, Northumberland County 9-1-1 dispatched first alarm units to 296 Main Street in Mount Carmel Township for a reported dwelling fire. The first alarm brought the Mount Carmel Township fire department along with other surrounding communities to the address which was located in the Locust Gap section of the township.
First arriving units found a three story single family dwelling heavily involved with fire. A second alarm was immediately requested to the scene bringing in units from Schuylkill County and additional tankers.
Multiple lines were stretched off Locust Gap Engine 23 who took the A/B corner of the building. Strong Engine 25 and Aristes Tanker 353 positioned behind Engine 23. Tanker 353 secured a water supply from a nearby hydrant. Atlas Engine 21 took the alley to the rear while Lavelle Engine 04-32 took the A/D Corner: lines were stretched off both.
Englewood Engine 369 arrived on the scene and set up as the Rapid Intervention Team. Wilburton Engine 331 set up an additional water supply with a portable pond. Mount Carmel Engine 2 was dispatched to set up a fill site for tankers.
The bulk of the fire was knocked down on the first and second floors within a half hour of units arriving but the fire spread to the third floor. A crew went to the roof and performed vertical ventilation while additional crews attempted to make it to the third floor with hose lines.
The fire was placed under control shortly after 11 AM and mop up operations began. The second alarm companies were released shortly after.
