SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa. – At 12:50 PM on Tuesday, March 20, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 dispatched Fire District 63 (Schuylkill Haven) to 63 North Lake Drive in North Manheim Township for a possible house fire.
Chief 63-01 was advised that 9-1-1 received a call from an out-of-breath individual reporting a house on fire. The chief arrived on scene shortly after and reported a two story wood frame home with a working fire. The fire was reported to be in the basement. Command requested RIT be dispatched from Pottsville.
Tower 63-25 arrived and took the address where a hand line was stretched into the basement. Engine 63-12 was directed to lay out from a hydrant but was advised it would be a long lay and additional LDH may be needed. 12 dumped its entire hosebed and Engine 63-17 continued the lay into the scene. Tower 63-22 continued on Lake Drive which continues above the residence and set up for operation.
A second line was stretched from 63-12 and advanced through the front door as heavy smoke poured out from the residence. Tower 22 flew to the roof and a crew began to check the status of the roof.
Firefighters began to make a good knock on the fire and the brown smoke began to turn to white steam. The roof crew was advised to hold off on any ventilation as interior crews reported improving conditions. A Rapid Intervention Team from Pottsville Engines 11 & 72 staged in front of the building.
Ladders were thrown around the building and a third line was stretched into the second floor but never charged. The fire was under control by the 20 minute PAR check.
Apparatus began to be released around 2 PM as all of the smoke had been cleared out using positive pressure fans. A State Police Fire Marshal was requested to the scene and the American Red Cross was notified for displaced residents.
First arriving crews remained on scene into the evening to investigate the fire.
