SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA – Late in the afternoon of Saturday, April 6, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 received calls reporting a large column of black smoke somewhere in the area of the cogeneration plant outside Shenandoah. Forestry units were dispatched to investigate the source and Mahanoy City Engine 451 also went to investigate while returning from a motor vehicle accident.
Crews found the source after traveling off-road near Route 339. Engine 451 found a field on fire with tires burning in the field as well. A line was stretched off the engine and an attack was placed on the fire. Once the Forestry units arrived, lines were stretched off their apparatus and controlled the other side of the fire.
Within twenty minutes the bulk of the fire was knocked down. A tanker was requested to the scene to aid with overhaul.