SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA – At 9:15 AM the Schuylkill County 9-1-1  Center dispatched the first alarm assignment to the 200 block of West Centre Street in Shenandoah for a reported house on fire.  The Shenandoah Fire Department & Shenandoah ALS were due on the incident along with Mahanoy City West End Rescue 993.

Marshal 742 arrived on the scene and confirmed a working fire.  Fire was found coming from a propane tank located outside the residence with a small amount of fire in the entryway.

Squrt 745 approached the scene and secured a water supply at Centre & West Streets and then proceeded into the scene.  Within minutes, the fire had fully engulfed the first floor of the primary building and was now spreading to the adjoining exposures on the “B” and “D” sides.

A 1.75″ attack line and 2.5″ attack line were stretched off the Squrt and crews began to darken down the visible fire on the exterior.  After a quick hit, crews pushed into the first floor of the fire building.  At this time, a second alarm was requested to the scene.

The second alarm dispatched units from Frackville, Englewood, Mahanoy City (Citizens), Shenandoah Heights and Ringtown Valley.

Engine 751 was the next Engine on scene and secured a second water supply at Chestnut & Lloyd Streets.  Multiple lines were stretched off 751 into the exposure buildings.  Frackville Ladder 43-20 was directed to approach the scene from Chestnut and was positioned in front of the “D” side exposure and flew the stick to the roof.

Crews made an aggressive search through all buildings and quickly contained any fire that had spread through the walls.  A team of firefighters ascended to the roof and performed vertical ventilation.

As other second alarm companies arrived on scene they were directed into the various buildings affected by fire and assisted with overhaul.

The fire was brought under control within an hour of the first units arriving on scene.  Firefighters continued to search for hot spots and cut holes in various parts of the building, both interior and exterior, to extinguish every bit of fire.

During the incident, Mahanoy City EMS was requested to the scene as well as Ryan Township BLS.  One occupant was transported by Ambulance 4803 for burns.  The American Red Cross was dispatched to assist displaced victims.

Firefighters began to break down their hand lines and replace their equipment around 11AM and the majority of units were clear of the scene shortly before noon.  As a result of the quick actions of first arriving units, the majority of damage was held to the building of origin and one exposure on each side.

A State Police Fire Marshal was called to the scene to help investigate the cause of the blaze which was determined to be accidental as a result of secondary heating sources. Firefighters discovered a large amount of propane and kerosene heaters throughout the residence as well fuel to run the appliances.

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