LUZERNE COUNTY, PA – Shortly before 11PM on Monday, April 17, the West Hazleton Fire Department responded to 110 Winters Avenue in their borough for a working structure fire.
Police, on routine patrol, had noticed smoke in the area and requested fire department to respond to the area of Winters Avenue and North Warren Street. Police then pinpointed the source to 110 Winters Avenue where smoke was pouring from the third floor. Police reported a fire in the attic with all occupants out of the building.
Chief 183 was advised of the update and requested County to repage the box as a working structure fire.
183 Truck and 183 Engine 1 were responding shortly after the upgrade to the working fire. Engine 1 arrived on the scene to find a two and a half story structure with heavy black smoke showing from division 3; Engine 1 was securing its own water supply at a hydrant directly in front of the residence.
183 Chief 4 arrived on the scene and assumed command and stated he had fire showing from the “D” side of the building. A Rapid Intervention Team from Mahanoy City was requested as was an Engine from Harwood 241.
Engine 1 stretched a line through the front door as the Truck crew began to set up to go to work. Engine 2 arrived on scene and secured an additional water supply on Warren Street. A Blitzfire was stretched off Engine 1 and put into service on the B side of the structure to darken down the fire.
Harwood Engine 241 arrived and positioned behind the truck and sent their crew to the front of the building where they were directed to stretch a second line into the building. Mahanoy City Rescue 993 arrived as RIT and also set up near the front of the building. An engine company and manpower were requested from Hazleton City to assist with overhaul.
Crews had the fire knocked down within twenty minutes of arriving on scene and began to perform overhaul. PPL, UGI and the local water company were all requested to the scene to disconnect their utilities from the building.
A rehab unit from the L&L Fire Company in Carbon County was requested to respond to the scene.
As crews worked to overhaul the building, a group of people huddled on the corner across from the fire and watched while covered under blankets and holding a dog, all appeared to be displaced by the fire.
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