LEHIGH COUNTY, PA – Fire & Film caught a job while traveling through Lehigh County yesterday. The fire was reported around 4:30 PM on Wednesday, July 25. Lehigh County 9-1-1 dispatched Stations 30 (Lower Macungie), 25 (Trexlertown) and 66 (Macungie EMS) to 1915 Aster Road in Lower Macungie Township for a dwelling fire. Initial reports were of a fire from a fan on the roof.
Chief 30-01 arrived on the scene and reported a working fire with smoke showing from the second and third floor of a middle of row townhouse. Upon further investigation it was found that there were no firewalls on the B side of the townhouse. A second alarm was requested as smoke was visible from three units.
Truck 2531 arrived on scene and took the B side exposures, Truck 3031 took the address and Engine 3011 took the D side exposures. A line was stretched through the front door to begin to search for the fire. Both ladders were flown to the roof for easier access. Multiple vent holes were cut to aid the interior firefighters.
The second alarm brought in apparatus from Stations 1 (Alburtis), 15 (Macungie) and 32 (Woodlawn) along with a RIT from Station 7 (Emmaus). Firefighters were rotated constantly due to the high temperatures being experienced. Crews were cooled off with refreshments, fans and shade provided by Macungie EMS. Firefighters were also medically evaluated to ensure their safety.
Companies began to be released within the hour and all units were clear by the early evening. The Red Cross was requested as multiple homes were unfit for living due to the blaze.
