SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA – On Thursday, September 5 around 6:53 PM, Schuylkill County 9-1-1 was advised by Ashland Police of a fire in Butler Township just outside Girardville. At the same time, a call was received reporting a fully involved house fire in the area of 34 Rapp Road. Fire District 45 (Girardville Fire) and Girardville EMS were dispatched to the scene.
Engine 45-10 arrived on the scene to find a well involved structure fire set back from any paved road. 45-10 dropped supply line at the intersection of Slate Run Road and Duck Street and continued into a driveway. Engine 45-11 grabbed a hydrant on Rapp Road and laid a large section of supply line to relay to 45-10.
A leader line was pulled off 45-10 and drug it up the dirt road toward the fire. Two hi-rise packs were connected to the Wye and stretched to the fire. Crews found the second floor of the structure fully involved. The bulk of the fire was knocked down within minutes of the operation being set up.
Firefighters continued to douse hot spots and perform overhaul on the structure while investigators combed the area around the building. The fire was marked out at 7:51 PM. All units were clear of the scene shortly after 9:00 PM.
