SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA – Just before midnight on Friday, July 31, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 dispatched Fire District 38 (Ashland) and District 45 (Girardville) to the area of 3rd Street and Middle Street for a reported building on fire.
Chief 38 was advised upon responding that Ashland police were on scene with smoke showing from the building next to the Ashland Grille. Chief 38 arrived on the scene and quickly confirmed a working job with fire showing; a second alarm was requested in to the scene.
The second alarm included units from Altamont, Englewood, Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, Gordon and Mount Carmel.
Engine 38-10 took the address from the West Side while Ladder 38-25 took the address from the East Side. Firefighters stretched lines into the building as heavy fire was venting from the second story.
Engine 38-11 set up a water supply on Hoffman Boulevard and Engine 45-10 staged in front of them. A crew ascended to the roof to begin vertical ventilation while the bulk of the fire was darkened down.
The second alarm units began to arrive on scene and sent their manpower up to assist with overhaul. Firefighters from Englewood set up a Rapid Intervention Team at Middle and Hoffman. Mount Carmel Truck 2 flew their ladder off Centre Street to the roof and additional crew went up.
Chief 38 declared the fire knocked down within 15 minutes of arrival. EMS 38 set up rehab with the assistance of EMS 45. The American Red Cross was also dispatched to the scene to assist with displaced residents.
Second alarm units began to clear up around 1:00 AM and all units were clear of the scene by 2:00 AM.
