SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa. – At 9:27PM on Thursday, November 18, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 dispatched the Mahanoy City Fire Department with Ladder 43-20 (Frackville) and Mahanoy City EMS to 1017 East Pine Street in Mahanoy City for a reported house fire.
Units arrived on scene quickly to find heavy fire showing from the middle of a row with an altercation in the street. Lieutenant 48-2 took command and requested a second alarm to the scene.
Engine 48-15 arrived and stopped short of the address and stretched lines to the front of the building. Ladder 48-25 positioned on the East side of the fire and set up the aerial to the roof. Engine 48-12 came in behind the ladder while Engine 48-10 went to the rear on Market Street. Ladder 43-20 was directed behind 48-15.
Chief 48 arrived on scene and assumed command of the incident.
Firefighters stretched multiple lines into multiple addresses as the fire was spreading in both directions. Shenandoah Engine 64-10 and Tiller 64-25 were sent to the rear with 48-10 and assist with operations. These units assisted with stretching lines in the rear and laddering the building. Once laddered, crews ascended to the roof for ventilation.
The remaining units on the second alarm were directed to both the front and rear of the row to assist with operations. Englewood set up RIT in the front of the building while Pottsville set up RIT in the back.
While in the middle of the firefight, command was advised that there had been a water main break just outside Mahanoy City. With that information, a tanker task force was requested in case additional water was needed.
Crews were able to trench the roof on both side and stop the spread of fire to more areas while interior firefighters darkened down the fire inside.
Additional apparatus was requested to move-up to Mahanoy City to cover but then brought into the scene to assist with manpower. Those units included Ringtown Engine 30-15 and Minersville Tower 52-22.
An additional RIT was brought to the scene from Schuylkill Haven. Sheppton-Oneida Engine 9-10 and Nesquehoning Ladder 1321 were moved to the West End Fire Station to provide standby coverage.
The fire was brought under control around 11PM and a State Police Fire Marshal was requested to the scene.
The American Red Cross was also requested to assist displaced residents. At least five homes were damaged by the fire which displaced residents. Some of the displaced residents have been life-long active members of the Citizens Fire Company of Mahanoy City.
Mahanoy City Police announced that they arrested and charged 49 year old Brendon Hasara with multiple counts related to the fire including felony arson charges, felony causing a catastrophe, five counts of recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest and trespass.
Neighbors told Fire & Film that Hasara was carrying-on on the front porch about the borough condemning his property and moments later went in and set the house ablaze.
