SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA – On Monday, July 2, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 dispatched the Mahanoy City Fire Department to 439 East South Street for a reported garage fire. The first alarm assignment also included Frackville Ladder 43-20, Altamont for the Rapid Intervention Team and Mahanoy City EMS.
Chief 459 arrived on scene and confirmed a working fire in a large garage. The chief requested the first engine lay in from 4th Street and Mahanoy Avenue. Chief 455 arrived on scene and assumed command. Engine 451 (Humane) and Engine 454 (Citizens) went responding and approached from the West and the East, respectively.
Both engine companies secured their own water supply and a hand line was stretched off each. The front bumper deluge gun was put in service off Engine 454 and knocked down the bulk of the fire. All firefighters were ordered to perform their attack from the outside of the building as the fire was in a dilapidated old wooden bus garage.
Tower 456 staged behind Engine 454 while Ladder 457 staged near Engine 451. Engine 465 staged with Rescue 993 on 4th street and sent their manpower to the scene. Crews had the fire knocked down within fifteen minutes of the initial dispatch and all the smoke had dissipated within thirty minutes.
Apparatus and equipment began to be picked up and most crews were released within an hour of the dispatch. An engine remained on scene until the early morning hours to ensure the fire was completely extinguished. Investigators believe the fire may have been caused by individuals using fireworks in the area shortly before the fire was discovered.
