SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa. – Just after 10 PM on Monday, July 9, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 sent a first alarm assignment to the 100 Block of West Main Street in Tremont Borough for a reported house fire with possible entrapment.
The first alarm included Fire Districts 67 (Tremont), 12 (Donaldson), 22 (Joliett), 21 (Ravine), 52 (Minersville Fire-Rescue) and a Rapid Intervention Team from District 58 (North End).
First responding units were advised the caller reporting a fire in the second floor with lights on inside the residence leading the caller to believe someone may be inside. A fire police portable called on scene shortly after and confirmed a working fire.
Firefighters arrived on scene to find heavy fire showing from the second floor of a two and a half story single family dwelling. A primary search was quickly initiated as crews began to stretch lines toward the building.
Engine 12-10 took the A/B corner while 67-10 secured a water supply at Main and Pine Streets. Engine 22-14 came in from the South side of Pine Street and also secured a water supply.
Room was left in the front of the building where Ladder 58-25 and Tower 52-22 set up for operation.
Command relayed to all units that there was no entrapment and all occupants were accounted for.
Crews made multiple attempts to make interior attacks on the fire but the blaze proved to be too stubborn and crews were pulled from the building. An exterior attack was initiated from the bucket of 52-22, ground lines and the deck gun from 12-10.
At this time command requested a second due RIT to the scene and the second alarm on standby. Pottsville Stations 50 & 60 were sent to the scene for RIT and the second alarm was moved up to the borough.
The fire was knocked down from the exterior and crews attempted to make another push inside until conditions again deteriorated leading command to call for the exterior deluge.
The bulk of the fire was knocked down roughly an hour after the first crews arrived on scene as firefighters continued to pour water from outside the building. Overhaul was then initiated as crews could be seen pulling walls and ceilings and soaking them down with water.
A State Police Fire Marshal was requested to the scene to help investigate the cause of the fire. The second alarm standby was released before midnight and operating crews began to clear in the early morning hours.
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