LUZERNE COUNTY, PA – Shortly before 5 PM, Luzerne County 9-1-1 dispatched West Hazleton Fire Station 24 and Hazle Township Fire Station 10 to 201 East Green Street in West Hazleton for a reported structure fire.
Chief 244 arrived on the scene and found heavy fire showing from the Bravo side of a two and a half story duplex. The chief assumed command and requested a second alarm be struck.
West Hazleton Engine 242 arrived and took the front of the building followed by Hazle Tower 107. Crews stretched an inch and three quarter line and began an aggressive exterior attack. Ladder 244 arrived and took the A-B Corner with Engine 241 at the B-C Corner.
Progress was seen shortly after the attack was initiated. Command requested a crew to ascend Ladder 244 to the roof and ventilate to alleviate the smoke and heat from interior crews.
As additional units arrived, their manpower was sent into the structure to pull walls and ceiling and search for hidden fire. The bulk of the fire had been knocked down within fifteen minutes.
The second alarm included Sheppton-Oneida Squirt 9-20, McAdoo Engine 49-15, Valley Regional Engine 2 and RIT from the Mahanoy City Fire Department.
Within an hour, all of the smoke had cleared and units began packing up their tools and hoses. Apparatus was slowly released from the scene with the last units clearing around 8 PM. A State Police Fire Marshal was requested to the scene to help investigate the cause.
Five people were displaced by the fire and are being assisted by the American Red Cross. No injuries were noted on the scene.
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