ALLENTOWN, PA – A fire broke out in the third floor of a dwelling Friday afternoon. City firefighters were dispatched around 3:20 PM on July 29 to 14th and Chew Streets for a dwelling fire with possible entrapment. The box included Engine 4, Engine 9, Engine 10, Truck 1 and Battalion 2. Apparatus responding from the Central Station reported smoke showing from 11th and Chew.
Battalion 2 arrived on scene with a working fire in a three story residence in the middle of a row. Chew Street command was established and reported flames showing from a third story window. Engine 9 grabbed a hydrant at 14th and Chew and began to stretch a line to attack the fire. Engine 6 was dispatched as the Rapid Intervention Team.
As Engine 9 charged the hydrant they learned the hydrant was not working properly, Engine 6 was ordered to secure a water supply. The interior crew found a room off on the third floor. Conditions from the exterior gave the impression the fire was rapidly spreading. Department Chief 40 arrived on the scene and reported smoke pushing from the roof of both exposures. The Chief requested a second alarm into the scene.
Due to the smoke seen from the exposures, an engine was requested to the rear of the row. Engine 14 responded to the alley behind the house and stretched a line. Crews accessed the roof as well from the rear. An additional RIT team and truck were requested to the scene.
With the addition of the requested apparatus, the fire escalated to the equivalent of a third alarm. Command requested Lehigh County fire companies be dispatched and relocated to the City stations.
The bulk of the fire was knocked down within fifteen minutes. Firefighters performed overhaul for almost an hour before crews began taking up.
Five people were displaced by the fire which was ruled accidental. One injury was reported when an Allentown Paramedic suffered an animal bite while evaluating the residents of the fire building.
While the volunteer crews were covering in the City stations they responded on a dwelling fire box in the South Side of the City. The call was quickly placed under control and the units returned.
