LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. – Just before 7:30 AM on Saturday, November 23, the Hazleton City Fire Department was dispatched to 355 Muir Avenue in the Heights section of the City for a reported house fire.
Responding units were advised of reports of smoke coming from the second floor of the residence. Rescue 3 arrived on scene to find fire showing from two windows on the second floor of the two and a half story duplex. Police were reporting all occupants were out of the structure.
Chief 3 requested RIT out of Hazle Township and placed McAdoo Quint 49-22 and West Hazleton 183 on stand-by in station.
Ladder 1 set up and put their ladder to the A/D corner as firefighters made a quick knockdown of the fire within minutes of arriving on scene.
Engine 2 pumped a plug at Poplar Street and fed Rescue 3. Tower 1 was staffed and responded to the scene, staging on Poplar to block traffic.
Firefighters worked on the porch roof to pull siding and search for hotspots while a hole was opened up on the roof. Crews found active fire in the attic which was quickly contained.
The quick knockdown prevented fire from spreading into the other side of the duplex as firefighters only stretched two lines and they both went into the original fire building.
Mutual aid crews assisted with overhauling the building before being released by 8:30 am.
A State Police Fire Marshal was requested to the scene to determine a cause of the fire.
The American Red Cross was also requested to help the families that were displaced from each side. The fire chief reported that three adults from each side would be displaced.
Apparatus was clear of the scene by 9:30 with the department chiefs remaining on scene to investigate. One minor injury was reported during the incident.
