CARBON COUNTY, Pa. – At 6:17 PM, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 sent out a first alarm assignment for Banks Twp., Carbon County to 1479 Berwick Street for a house fire. The first alarm included Fire Districts 49 (McAdoo), 9 (Sheppton-Oneida) and 25 (Hometown). Beaver Meadows Engine 21-11 was also due out of Carbon. Carbon County also sent out requests for a tanker out of Hazle Township and a tanker from Weatherly.
Chief 49 was advised of a propane tank on fire in the basement upon responding. Chief 49-08 arrived on scene and confirmed a working basement fire. The Chief radioed that the resident smelled propane in the basement, then heard an explosion and smoke began to fill the residence.
With the report, Chief 49 requested a second alarm to the scene. The second alarm brought engines from Sheppton-Oneida, Hometown, Weatherly and Hazle Township as well as ladders from Hazle Township, West Hazleton and Freeland. Tankers from Ryan Township and Harwood were due as was Mahanoy City RIT.
Beaver Meadows Engine 21-11 arrived on scene and took the “A” side followed by Quint 49-22. Two lines were stretched to the front door while 49-11 was directed to lay in from a hydrant.
Firefighters advanced a line into the basement and were able to make a quick knockdown on the fire. Additional crews were sent to the upper floors to check for extension and ventilate the structure as the exterior of the building was laddered.
Crews were also sent into the neighboring exposure to check for any extension.
The fire was placed under control after crews were on scene for twenty minutes and the remainder of the second alarm was returned to service.
Mutual aid units were released as first due firefighters set up positive pressure ventilation to clear smoke out of the home.
No injuries were reported on scene however firefighters were seen rendering care to a pet.
A State Police fire marshal was requested to the scene.
