SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA – Shortly after 2:30 AM on Wednesday March 6, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 dispatched Fire District 4 (Butler Township) to the area of Main Street in Locust Dale for a reported house on fire.
First responding units were advised that the caller was reporting a well involved abandoned dwelling. Butler Township Police Unit 51 arrived on scene and confirmed the working fire and found it the be heavily involved in fire.
Multiple line officers arrived on scene and also confirmed the working fire and requested a second alarm bringing in Ashland Ladder 38-25. Lavelle Engine 4-12 arrived on the scene and took the A side of the building and found heavy fire showing from the address. Locustdale Engine 258 arrived and took the B side of the dwelling.
A defensive operation was immediately set up as the house was too heavily engulfed in flames for firefighters to make entry. Multiple lines were stretched off both engines and an outside attack was initiated.
A tanker task force was requested to the scene to assist in supplying the municipal water system. Tankers from throughout the region responded on the assist, including units from Northumberland and Columbia Counties.
Firefighters were able to knock down the bulk of the fire within an hour and began to perform overhaul on the structure.
One firefighter was transported to a local hospital with a minor injury. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
