CARBON COUNTY, Pa. – Just before 9 PM on Friday, February 2, Carbon County 9-1-1 dispatched units to 401 East Abbott Street in Lansford for a dwelling fire. The first alarm included Districts 14 (Summit Hill) and 15 (Lansford) and Schuylkill County District 40 (Coaldale).
First responding units were advised of a call reporting smoke showing from a residence. Chief 1501 arrived on scene and confirmed a working fire where smoke was found showing from a row of four homes at the corner of East Abbott and Powell Streets.
Ladder 1521 arrived and positioned in front of the address while Engine 1510 came in the opposite way and laid line for a water supply. The Ladder was able to secure a supply from a hydrant located across the street from the fire.
Summit Hill Engine 1411 and Ladder 1421 arrived and staged on Abbott Street while Coaldale was directed to position their Tower on the “B” side and set up for operation. Engine 40-17 followed and laid line from a hydrant on Powell Street.
Crews encountered heavy smoke from the front of the building as they began to plan their attack. A second alarm was struck as crews started to stretch lines.
The second alarm brought Nesquehoning Engine 1311 and Truck 1321, Tuscarora Engine 27-17 and Tamaqua for a Rapid Intervention Team.
Tower 40-24 flew to the roof and ventilated the roof while crews worked to contain the fire inside the building. Tuscarora was directed to beach their engine and send their staffing to the front of the building. Tamaqua units arrived and set up RIT near Ladder 1521.
As smoke continued to push from the residence, fire began to break through the roof. Coaldale Engine 40-13 hooked up the the supply line laid by 40-17 and pumped the hydrant to them. 40-17 subsequently supplied the Tower who began to hit the fire with the ladder pipe.
A third alarm was now dispatched to the scene bringing Nesquehoning Engine 1312 and Rescue 1351 with Mahoning Valley Engine 615. Command special requested Mahanoy City RIT and Tamaqua Rescue for air out of Schuylkill County.
Heavy smoke could still be seen pushing from the roofline and multiple windows throughout the second floor of the building. The Tower continued to pound the fire through the roof near the “B” side while additional crews continued to work inside further down the row.
The fire proved stubborn as crews would knock down the bulk of the fire and then moments later the smoke would intensify and fire could again be seen venting from the structure. Attack tactics rotated from interior to exterior and back as conditions changed throughout the fire.
All four units in the row suffered extension damage but it appeared firefighters were able to prevent any fire damage to the “D” exposure which was only a few feet away.
Crews were still battling the blaze as midnight approached and were finally able to bring the fire under control. Lehighton ALS was on the scene in case any injuries occurred and Mahanoning Valley EMS was on-scene with their rehab unit.
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