SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa. – Ashland firefighters were alerted to a house fire shortly after 6:30 AM on Friday, November 24. The initial call sent fire crews to 1237 Arch Street in Ashland after 9-1-1 received multiple calls reporting a house fire. Fire District 38 and 45 were sent on the fire alarm.
Chief 38 was advised of multiple calls reporting a house engulfed in flames. The chief immediately requested a second alarm which dispatched Altamont, Gordon, Mount Carmel Station 2 and Englewood for a Rapid Intervention Team.
Crews arrived on scene to find a two story single family dwelling with the rear heavily involved in fire. Engine 38-15 which is stationed just blocks down the street, was directed to come to front on 13th street and Engine 38-10 was sent to the rear on Race Street.
The first due companies were instructed to stretch a blitzfire and use a deck gun to begin to knock down the fire. Ladder 38-25 came down 13th Street from Race and set the ladder up to the roof on the “B” side.
Engine 45-10 and 45-30 staged away from the scene and sent their manpower to the building and stretched additional lines. Englewood Engine 369 brought their equipment to the front of the house and stood-by as a Rapid Intervention Team.
Truck 2, Engine 2 and Engine 367 were directed to stage and send their manpower to the scene. Gordon Engine 46-10 staged near 13th and Centre Streets.
Crews were able to knock down the bulk of the fire using a defensive attack before stretching smaller lines into the first floor. A crew went to the roof and vented off 38-25.
Smoke and steam continued to rise from the roof which led command to send a crew to the second floor via a ground ladder to pull the ceiling. Firefighters found heavy fire rolling in the attic and requested an additional hand line.
The fire was knocked down and additional crews entered to overhaul the building. Altamont firefighters worked to pull siding on the “D” side and find hidden fire.
The fire was under control around 8 AM. Command requested PPL Electric and a State Police Fire Marshal to the scene.
The American Red Cross was on the scene to assist the displaced residents. Radio reports indicated five people were living in the home at the time of the fire.
Second alarm companies began to be released around 8:30 AM with the Ashland crews remaining on scene throughout the morning.
