SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa. – Pottsville firefighters were alerted to a house fire around 4:20 AM on Thursday, August 15. Firefighters were sent to the area of Second and Arch Streets in the City for the report of the back of a house on fire.
EMS arrived in the area and confirmed a working fire. Chief 68-1 requested a rapid intervention team be added to the box sending Schuylkill Haven RIT.
Chief 68-7 arrived on-scene in the 200 block of North Second and confirmed smoke showing from a wood-frame, middle of the row structure. The bulk of the fire was located to the rear on Downing Street.
Ladder 68-25 positioned at Arch and Downing and stretched a crosslay down the alley. Engine 68-14 came down Downing from Race while 68-16 came into a parking lot on Arch and 68-13 took the “A” side on Second Street.
Engine 68-11 secured a water supply on Second Street while 68-18 laid LDH across Centre Street securing a second water supply. Ladder 68-21 came in and staged behind 68-11. 63 RIT arrived and staged in the parking lot on Arch Street.
The bulk of the fire was knocked down within minutes and crews began to check for extension. A crawlspace in the basement was cleared as other firefighters went to roof and opened up a small section above the fire.
The fire was extinguished and overhaul well underway by the first 20 minute PAR check. RIT was released just before the 40 minute PAR check and the majority of City units were released by 5:30 AM.
