LUZERNE COUNTY, PA – Just before noon on Thursday, August 10, Hazle Township Fire/Rescue was dispatched to the area of PNC Bank on Susquehanna Blvd. in Hazle Township for a wire down. Moments later, the tones were again set off for the same area on reports of a commercial structure fire.
First responding units were advised of conflicting reports of a commercial building on fire or rubbish burning next to the building. Chief 141 then radioed that he received a direct call from a person on scene reporting a working building fire.
Tower 7 arrived on the scene at the former John Heinz Institute for Occupational Medicine with smoke showing in the area. Engine 3 tagged a hydrant on Pecora Blvd. and laid nearly 1000 feet of LDH to the scene.
Engine 2 staged at the hydrant and Tower 5 staged on the “B” side. Rescue 1 arrived and also staged on Pecora Blvd while Tanker 6 came up and staged behind Engine 3.
The engine crew stretched a line to the “C” side of the building where they found rubbish burning around multiple air conditioning units next to the building. Tower 7 set up for operation and sent a crew to the roof.
The fire was quickly extinguished and crews began to investigate the scene. No lines were noticed on the ground, however a utility pole near the building appeared to have two transformers that suffered an emergency along with blown fuses. PPL was dispatched to the scene. Command also requested a State Police Fire Marshal respond to help with the investigation.
Crews checked the interior of the building for any extension and then began to pick-up their equipment. Units began to clear the scene within 30 minutes of arrival.
