SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA – At 10:40 AM, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 dispatched the first alarm assignment to the area of 400 East Centre Street in Shenandoah for a working structure fire. The first alarm brought the Shenandoah Fire Department, Frackville Ladder 43-20 and Mahanoy City West End.
First responding units were advised that Communications was receiving multiple calls on a building fire. Marshal 742 arrived on the scene shortly thereafter and reported a working fire with fire showing. The building involved in fire was previously damaged by fire two years ago on a night that Shenandoah fought four fires in one night.
Squrt 745 arrived on scene and positioned on North Union Street where fire was rapidly spreading up the block. Engine 751 was directed to approach the scene via the bypass and make access to the rear from Mount Vernon street where they found heavy fire to the rear of the building after securing a water supply. Engine 742 secured an additional water supply and pulled past the fire building on Centre Street and began to flow water from the deck gun. Engine 747 pulled into the scene and positioned at Union and Mt Vernon Streets. A second alarm was requested to the scene.
Frackville Ladder 43-20 came into the scene off Lloyd Street where they secured a water supply and positioned next to Engine 747. Seconds after the second alarm was issued, Mahanoy City Citizens Engine 454 went responding and was directed into the parking lot on the “D” side of the building and begin an exterior attack with big lines. Englewood Engine 369 responded on the second alarm and stretched a handline to the “B” side. Ringtown Engine 30-15 came into town and staged at Lloyd and Union Streets.
Shenandoah Heights Engine 881 was directed to position behind Engine 369 and begin to set up a dump site for tankers as the local hydrant system was quickly taxed with multiple units using heavy lines on all sides of the building.
A two alarm tanker task force was requested to the scene. Tankers from Fountain Springs, Ringtown, Sheppton-Oneida, Nuremberg-Weston, Ryan Township, Gordon, Lavelle, Aristes, Llewellyn and Mount Carbon all responded to haul water. Girardville Engine 45-10 filled the tankers at the Shenandoah Valley School Complex on West Centre Street.
Firefighters continued to work in an attempt to contain the fire however it was growing too rapidly and smoke began to push from a row of homes on Mount Vernon Street. A third alarm was issued shortly before 11AM.
Saint Clair Engine 702 responded on the third alarm assignment and was directed to Bridge Street and pull a draft from the creek that runs below. After getting water, 702 supplied Engine 454. Ashland Ladder 38-25 responded and sent its crew to the scene while the Ladder staged away. A Rapid Intervention Team out of Pottsville was also dispatched bringing Engine 32 to the scene. Mahanoy City Tower 456 arrived on the scene and after removing a fence, positioned in a parking lot in front of Engine 454 and began master stream operations.
Approximately an hour into the incident and smoke and fire could still be seen rising from the row on Mt. Vernon Street while firefighters attempted to the control the fire on the Centre Street side and the Union Street side. Brown smoke began to push from the eves of a detached dwelling at the corner of Union and Mt. Vernon Streets. A fourth alarm was issued.
Tamaqua South Ward Engine 784, Schuylkill Haven Engine 63-12 and Mount Carmel Truck 2 were dispatched to the scene on the fourth alarm. Throughout the incident, Tamaqua Ladder 770, Minersville Rescue 518 and Tower 519 and Saint Clair Engine 705 were brought into different stations on a stand by assignment.
At 12:03, Communications advised command they were receiving a report of a house on fire at 226 South Ferguson Street. The first alarm was dispatched bringing Engines 705, 784, 63-12, Altamont Engine 367, Ladder 770 and Nuremberg Ladder 581.
Engine 784 arrived on the scene of Ferguson Street and found neighbors hitting a fire on the first floor of an abandoned dwelling with fire extinguishers. Engine 784 quickly stretched a line through the front door and knocked down the rest of the fire.
The rest of the assignment for Ferguson Street was recalled as the situation was quickly brought under control. All units were then directed to stage at Main and Centre Streets in Shenandoah.
Around 12:30 PM, Command decided to cease all exterior and interior operations as it appeared the fire was coming under control on all three streets. After regrouping, ladder pipes from Squrt 745, 43-20 and Tower 456 were used to pour massive amounts of water onto the scene before sending crews back to overhaul.
The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal office was called into both scenes to help investigate the cause of the fires along with the Shenandoah Borough Police.
Firefighters received rehab from EMS personnel from throughout northern Schuylkill County and also received cold drinks and snacks donated by local businesses. The American Red Cross was on the scene as well.
Units from the third and fourth alarm began to be released around 2PM while the second alarm remained on scene till nearly 3PM. Some of the borough units were released in the early evening and at time of publication (7PM) two engines still remain on the scene.
