CARBON COUNTY, PA – Around 8:15 AM on Monday, January 9, Carbon County 9-1-1 dispatched a first alarm assignment to 256 North 2nd Street in Lehighton for a dwelling fire with flames showing. Districts 5 (Lehighton), 4 (Franklin Twp.) and 6 (Mahoning Twp.) were due on the box with Lehighton ALS.
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Chief 501 was quickly on air and confirmed a working building fire and requested a third alarm immediately be struck. The second and third alarms brought most companies in Carbon County to the scene.
First arriving units found heavy fire showing from a four story apartment building. Firefighters were immediately ordered to perform a defensive attack on the building as the fire was quickly advancing throughout the building.
Lehighton Engines 512 and 514 took the D and A sides, respectively, while Truck 523 pulled past the A/D corner and set-up for master stream operations. Jim Thorpe Truck 1125 positioned behind 514 and also set-up their master stream. Franklin Rescue 451 staged near 523 before being assigned to water supply. Summit Hill Engine 1411 secured an additional water supply on the D side. Multiple lines were stretched off all three engines.
Due to the layout of the borough’s hydrant system, a tanker task force was requested to supplement the water supply. Shortly after the initial dispatch, a second alarm was requested bringing in tankers from all of Carbon County.
Additional units continued to arrive on the scene and their manpower were sent to the front of the building where they were assigned to assist with the exterior attack lines. Three different dump sites were set up near the scene for tankers to shuttle water.
Firefighters poured water on the blaze for nearly two hours before they began to see progress. The water was shortly scaled back as command re-assessed the situation and crews determined where the master streams needed to be directed. The onslaught of water once again continued.
Throughout the incident, air temperatures hovered near 10 degrees leading to slippery conditions and frozen gear. The Lehighton road crew was on the scene continuously dropping material in an attempt prevent falls. The Lehighton ALS crew requested Mahoning Valley Ambulance and L&L Fire Company rehab to help setup rehab to keep the firefighters warm and provide drinks and snacks. As the incident progressed, a canteen from North Penn Goodwill Service responded to the scene.
Around 11AM, Carbon County EMA and Lehigh County Special Operations arrived at the scene with a camera equipped drone. The drone flew over the scene and allowed for command to view the building from overhead and determine further actions.
Firefighters slowly began to re-enter parts of the building and perform overhaul. The bulk of the fire was knocked down and brought under control by 11:30 AM. Crews began to be released from the scene.
Two firefighters were transported to the scene with non-life threatening injuries. Demolition crews were brought into the scene later in the afternoon to begin to tear down the severely damaged building.
The same building was the scene of a structure fire Sunday night when crews were dispatched around 11PM and found a working fire on the first floor. Crews made a quick knockdown of that fire and held it to the first floor. The Pennsylvania State Police were on the scene throughout today’s incident as they were already on the way to the scene to investigate the previous night’s fire.
