SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa. – At 3:34 AM on Sunday, March 24, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 sent a first alarm assignment to 100 West Center Street in Ashland for a reported structure fire. The fire was reported in the area of M&M Sandwich Shop. Fire Districts 38 (Ashland) and 45 (Girardville) were due on the call.

The first responding chief advised he had fire visible from uptown. Chief 38 arrived on scene shortly after dispatch and immediately requested a second alarm. Within seconds of requesting the second alarm, a third alarm was requested.

The second and third alarms brought in apparatus from Mount Carmel (Anthracite), Englewood, Altamont, Shenandoah (Columbia & Rescue Hook and Ladder), Gordon, Mahanoy City (Tower & RIT) and Wilburton.

Crews arrived to find heavy smoke showing from the street side of a row of homes with M&M Sandwich Shop attached at the A/B corner. Engine 38-10 was directed to the rear of the row where they found heavy fire showing.

Chief 38 requested a tanker task force to the scene to supplement the municipal water supply. Tankers from Aristes, Shenandoah, Fountain Springs, Lavelle, Gordon, Ringtown, Numidia and Beaverdale.

Engine 38-15 and Ladder 38-25 took the “A” side while 45-10 secured a water supply at the A/B corner.

Master streams were immediately placed in service from the deck guns of the engines while lines were being stretched.

Heavy smoke continued to push from all sides of the building as second and third alarm crews were sent in to the western exposures to check for extension.

Ladder 64-25 and Northumberland Ladder 2 positioned on the “A” side and sent their personnel to open the roof.

Fire began to blow out of the “B” side from the rear of the sub shop as thick brown smoke continued to pour from the first floor in the middle of the row on the “A” side.

A line was stretched onto the porch of the sub shop and Englewood firefighters began to knock down the fire from the doorway. Fire then shot through the roof of the back of the shop.

A master stream was initiated from 64-25 and Mahanoy City Tower 48-20 was brought in to the “B” side.

Crews were able to open up a western exposure and stop the fire.

Smoke was still pouring from the middle of the row when a MAYDAY was transmitted. A firefighter fell through the floor and was suspended in the air. The firefighter was quickly able to make it to safety and the MAYDAY was cancelled. Another firefighter also fell through a floor and suffered a minor injury.

During the firefight, the temperature was in the 20’s creating ice all over the scene. A firefighter on the “C” side slipped on the ice and suffered an injury requiring transport to the hospital.

Bystanders also stated that at least one civilian was taken away by ambulance.

With the unstable building conditions and poor smoke conditions, master stream operations were set up on 48-20 and Ladder 2.

Massive amounts of water were dumped onto the building as a main portion of the roof collapsed into the building.

By 6AM smoke was still rising from the buildings and the master streams were still pouring water. Firefighters on the ground began to breakdown the majority of the small hand lines.

Second and third alarm companies began to be released around 7AM with the ladders remaining on scene into the morning. Ashland and Girardville crews remained on scene into the afternoon.

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The American Red Cross was on the scene assisting approximately 8 displaced residents. According to radio reports, four homes and the business received extensive damage.