SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA – Just after 7AM on Friday, May 20, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 dispatched Fire Districts 38 (Ashland) and 45 (Girardville) to 421 West Center Street in Ashland for a reported house fire.
A second alarm was quickly struck as Chief 38-02 arrived on the scene and found heavy smoke showing from a two and a half story residence with exposures attached on both sides. The second alarm brought units from Altamont, Englewood, Gordon and Mount Carmel.
Ladder 38-25 took the address and set up for roof operations while Engine 38-15 secured a water supply at 5th and Chestnut Streets. American Hose Engine 38-10 proceeded to the rear of the row on Chestnut Street and secured a water supply at 4th and Chestnut. 38-10 found heavy fire to the rear of the row and stretched lines through the backyard. Girardville Engine 45-10 was directed to the front of the building and they also secured a water supply and began to stretch lines to the interior.
Fire conditions continued to worsen and the manpower pool was not growing which prompted command to request at third alarm to the scene. The third alarm brought Squrt 745 and Engine 742 from Shenandoah, Tower 456 and a Rapid Intervention Team from Mahanoy City and an engine from Wilburton. Lavelle Engine 04-12 was also added as they were clearing another incident in their area.
Mount Carmel Truck 2 was directed to position behind 38-25 and set up for operation, Tower 456 and Squrt 745 were set to the front of 38-25 and set their crews to the roof to open up. Englewood Engine 369 secured an additional water supply behind Truck 2 as third alarm units began to stage on Center Street and send their manpower to the scene.
Additional RIT from Pottsville and Shamokin were requested to the scene as was manpower from Minersville. Pottsville Rescue 63 set up RIT in the front of the building and then were assisted by Shamokin Rescue 62.
Interior firefighters continued to work inside all three buildings from the front while roof crews opened up and let the brown smoke exit the building. Additional firefighters continued to work on the back side of the row and contain fire in extensions of the buildings into the yards. Mahanoy City set up their RIT in a backyard.
About an hour into the incident, the smoke began to dissipate and turned into steam exiting from the building. Firefighters pulled out two dogs from the buildings and tried to resuscitate them with oxygen and CPR but both dogs succumbed to their injuries.
The fire was placed under control at 8:30 AM. At the 80 minute PAR check crews began to pick up some of their equipment and out of town companies were ready to be released. At the 100 minute PAR check, command began to release companies from the scene and PAR checks were terminated.
Ashland crews remained on the scene into the early afternoon to mop up hot spots and investigate the cause of the fire.
