SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA – At 2:44 AM the Pottsville Bureau of Fire was dispatched to 324 East Norwegian Street in the City for a reported apartment building fire with entrapment.

P-4 arrived on the scene and confirmed a working fire with entrapment and requested a Rapid Intervention Team from Schuylkill Haven.  Upon further investigation, P-4 found heavy fire in a three story apartment building.  A second alarm was requested at 2:52 AM.

Ladder 51 took the address on Norwegian Street and went to work.  Engine 32 secured a water supply at Norwegian and 61 and fed Ladder 51.  Engine 62 was directed to the rear as there was heavy fire on the third floor.  Engine 72 secured a water supply from the North and supplied 62.  Ladder 21 pulled out of its station (which was two doors down from the fire building) and flew the stick to the roof.  Engine 41 secured an additional water supply from the East side of Norwegian Street.

Schuylkill Haven set up their RIT in the area of Ladder 21 while interior crews battled flames and performed a primary search.  Port Carbon 59-11 was directed to send their crew into the building and assist with the search.  Englewood Engine 369 was assigned as RIT in the rear of the building while Minersville Tower 519 had their crew sent to work.

While performing the search, one occupant was found deceased in a second floor room.  A County Coroner and The Pennsylvania State Police were requested into the scene.

The bulk of the fire had been knocked down by the 20 minute PAR check.  Crews continued to work on hot spots and smoke slowly dissipated.  Extra caution had to be used for those operating as the temperature hovered below 20 degrees.

The fire was placed under control at 4:08 AM.  Fifteen minutes later command began to release second alarm companies.  Schuylkill EMS was on the scene providing medical care to two civilians who offered complaints during the fire.

City companies began to pick up shortly after 5:oo AM.  MarLin Engine 20-10 was on standby at Station 30 for any other responses in the City.

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