SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa. – Around 12:30 PM on Saturday, January 6, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 dispatched Fire District 45 (Girardville) and Girardville EMS to 261 5th Street in the borough for a reported house fire.
Engine 45-10 and 45-11 responded and were advised the caller stated they were attempting to thaw pipes in the kitchen and now the wall was on fire.
45-11 arrived on scene followed by 45-10 who found smoke showing. 45-10 requested the working fire be transmitted and assumed 45 Command.
Crews stretched a line off 45-11 while 45-10 secured a water supply from Mahanoy Avenue. Tanker 45-30 staged on Mahanoy Avenue. A second line was stretched off 45-11 to knock down visible fire on the “C” side exterior wall.
Crews were beginning to make progress on the fire however smoke continued to push from the eaves on all sides of the building. An engine and ladder were requested from Ashland.
Firefighters made it to the second floor and made a knock on the fire which led to the smoke dissipate from the roofline.
Ashland Ladder 38-25 was brought to the B/C corner and sent a crew to the roof line to open up and check for extension. The truck company opened up a portion of the “C” side wall and found the fire extinguished.
45 Command put the fire under control around the 40 minute PAR check and requested assistance from the American Red Cross for three displaced residents.
Crews began to pull out their attack line and shut down the water supply. Firefighters picked up their equipment and were able to get out of the cold weather later in the afternoon.
