SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa. – At 9:14 AM on Tuesday, August 13, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 sent Fire Districts 68 (Pottsville), 53 (Mount Carbon) and 52 (Minersville – Station 2) to the area of Glenworth Road and Cressona Road in North Manheim Twp. for a reported house fire.
First responding crews were advised of multiple calls reporting a house fire at Glenworth Farms on Glenworth Road. Chief 68-8 reported a large column in the area and requested RIT be added and move up the second alarm into Pottsville.
Chief 68-8 arrived on the scene to find a well involved house fire at 57 Glenworth Road. Engine 68-13 was the first-in engine and made the sharp turn onto the driveway and began to stretch heavy lines to the front of the building. Ladder 68-25 pulled in right behind the engine while 68-16 dumped their bed and laid supply line from a hydrant on Red Horse Road.
Crews knocked down the exterior fire and made entry into the first floor within minutes of arriving. Firefighters worked to battle back the flames inside as others began to ladder the exterior of the building.
Thick brown smoke continued to pour from the upper floors as the firefighters worked on the first floor. A crew went to the roof for vertical ventilation and the smoke quickly covered them from sight.
The fire continued to intensify and quickly shot through the roof leading to an evacuation of the roof and the building.
Once all firefighters were accounted for, exterior crews opened up large hand lines and a deck gun from 68-13. The ladder pipe was put into operation from 68-25 and began to knock down the flames.
The homeowner then arrived at the scene and confirmed no one was home at the time of the fire except pets.
The bulk of the fire was knocked down within an hour of the initial alarm but crews remained on scene throughout the afternoon as flames continued to flare up throughout portions of the house.
A State Police Fire Marshal was requested to the scene to help with the investigation as well as the American Red Cross to help the displaced occupants.
At least one firefighter was transported to the hospital for evaluation of a minor injury.
