LUZERNE COUNTY, PA – Just after 1:00 PM on Sunday, September 22, Luzerne County dispatched Hazleton City Fire and APTS Medic 11 to 535 Grant Street in the City for a reported residential structure fire. Initial reports were of smoke coming from an attic window.
A fire police unit arrived on the scene and confirmed smoke from the attic of a single family dwelling. Engine 2 arrived on the scene and also confirmed the working fire while pulling past the address. Truck 1 took the address behind Engine 2. Engine 5 secured a water supply at 1st and Grant and supplied Engine 2. Engine 4 was requested into the scene and an additional page for manpower was sent out. West Hazleton Resuce 245 was also requested.
Crews entered the building to search for the seat of the fire. Firefighters made it to the attack and stated the fire was definitely coming from the basement. Firefighters then found the fire had burnt through the first floor from the basement. An evacuation order was given to all personnel on the fire ground.
Firefighters stretched several lines and knocked the bulk of the fire from the exterior basement windows. Crews then re-entered the building and extinguished the rest of the fire. The fire was contained within the hour. A fire marshal was requested into the scene to investigate the cause of the fire which was determined to be intentionally set. The Hazleton Police Department is furthering the investigation to find who started the fire.
