SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa. – Around 8:45 AM on Friday, August 17, Pottsville City Fire District 68 was sent to 511 Peacock Street for a reported house fire.
Chief 68 was advised of a caller reporting fire in the rear second floor of a residence and everyone was believed to have been evacuated. Nearing the scene, the chief had a column of smoke visible and declared a working fire with a request for a Rapid Intervention Team from Schuylkill Haven and a Tower-Ladder from Minersville.
Crews arrived on scene to find a fire in a two story single family dwelling. Engine 68-12 took the address followed by 68-11 who secured a water supply from a nearby hydrant. Ladder 68-25 came in from the West and took the A/D corner and was supplied by 68-16 who grabbed a hydrant coming in from Walter Griffith Avenue.
Firefighters were able to make a quick knock on the fire while a crew cut a hole in the roof for ventilation. The bulk of the fire had been knocked down within twenty minutes of the first rigs arriving on the scene.
While the incident was creating a traffic issue on Peacock Street, a volunteer Fire Police Officer from the City was directing traffic in the 200 Block. According to a release from the Police Department, a driver in a Black Kia approached the fire police and once informed of the road closure began to curse at the volunteer and proceeded to drive around him toward the fire. After realizing the road was actually closed, the driver turned around and stopped in front of the fire police. The driver then accelerated and struck the fire police officer with the car and fled the scene toward downtown Pottsville.
The fire police officer was laying in the middle of the roadway until EMS quickly responded from the fire scene and began to treat him for minor injuries. The patient was transported to a local hospital.
The Police are still searching for the vehicle and the driver. Any witnesses or buildings in the area with surveillance equipment are urged to contact the Pottsville Police at 570-628-3792 with information.
