SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA – At 6:44 AM on Friday, November 21, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 transmitted for the first alarm for a possible building fire in the area of North Lehigh Avenue and Spring Street in Frackville. District 43 (Frackville), Altamont, Englewood and Tower 456 out of Mahanoy Ciy were dispatched.
Chief 43-03 quickly arrived on the scene and confirmed a working fire at Amberdeen’s Bar on Lehigh Avenue. Heavy smoke was pushing from the building. A rapid intervention team from Mahanoy City was requested.
Ladder 43-20 took the D side of the row. Altamont Engine 367 took the A/D corner and secured a water supply while Engine 369 came down Spring street and also secured a water supply. Tower 456 was directed to the front of the building.
Both the Ladder and Tower flew their aerials to the roof to begin ventilation while multiple lines were stretched off 367. Engine 43-15 came in with a long lay down Lehigh and supplemented 367’s water supply. Mahanoy City Engine 451 also secured a water supply and positioned to the rear of the building. Rescue 993 sent their crew to the front for RIT.
A second alarm was struck, bringing Shenandoah for Ladder 745 and Engine 742, Ryan Township for an engine and Pottsville RIT. Ladder 745 was sent to the A/D corner and went to the roof while Engine 742 secured a water supply further North on Lehigh. Pottsville RIT supplemented Mahanoy City’s RIT.
The bulk of the fire was found to be in the basement and the first floor of the building and was knocked down within thirty minutes. Crews entered the exposure buildings to check for extension. The fire was placed under control at 8:00 AM.
Crews had to brave unseasonal temperatures while fighting the blaze. The temperature hovered around 15 degrees throughout the morning. Assistance from Frackville Streets and Penn DOT was requested to salt down the roadways as ice was rapidly forming.
Crews were treated to hot coffee by the American Red Cross and were watched over by EMS crews from Frackville, Shenandoah, Pottsville and Ryan Township.
