05/23/13 | 03:28 | FATAL 2ND ALARM | ALLENTOWN | BOX 4435 | 2427 S. 4TH STREET | FIRE ON TOP FLOOR AND THROUGH ROOF OF APARTMENT BUILDING | TOWER LADDER IN OPERATION | MULTIPLE LINES STRETCHED | PERSON FOUND DEAD MAY NOT BE A FIRE VICTIM | 1 FIREFIGHTER INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO HOSP VIA EMS
Allentown, Pa. - Allentown Box 2744 was transmitted for 2339 Fairview Street on a structural fire. Engines 10, 9, 11, Truck 2, Engine 6 (F.A.S.T.) and Bn 43 (J. Hess) responded on the box.
Battalion 43 arrived and reported smoke showing from a 1-story S/F/D. Companies found a porch fire that extended to the attic of the dwelling. Hand lines were stretched while Truck 2 members went to the roof to open it up.
Two additional engine companies were called to the scene for manpower, making this fire a 2nd alarm equivalent. Engines 4 and 13 were assigned as the additional companies.
This was the 2nd fire for the 1st platoon Friday night. The platoon is working with less firefighters because they are under-staffed during this shift.
Allentown, Pa. Allentown Fire Dispatch sent box 2444 to Engines 4, 9, 10, Truck 2, Bn 43 (J. Hess) and Engine 11 (F.A.S.T.) for an apartment fire located at 304 S. Franklin Street at Fairview at 17:40.
Companies arrive to find a fire on the 2nd floor in the ceiling. Engine 4 stretched one hand line to the 2nd floor and started pulling ceilings. Truck 2 went to the roof and cut vent holes. Fire ripped out of the hole. 43 told the inside crews that it was urgent to get the ceilings opened up and water into the attic.
Engine 6 was special-called for manpower. The fire was out in 30 minutes.
Allentown, Pa. -Saturday: Allentown Box 2261 was transmitted for a house fire for the 500 block of North Jute Street at 02:40 sending Engines 4, 9, 6, Truck 2, Engine 13 (F.A.S.T.) and Battalion 43.
Battalion 43 arrives at 02:42 and reports heavy smoke showing from 542, a 3-story M/O/R and signals a working fire. Engine 4 stretches a hand line to the second floor and darkens down the fire and then advances to the top floor for a search and to check for extension.
Engine 9 already stretched a dry line to the top floor, while Truck 2 checks exposure 2 for extension and a search.
Battalion 43 holds the fire to the 1st alarm assignment.
At 11:38 AM Allentown box 2938 is transmitted for a house fire at 29th and Greenleaf Streets, sending Engines 10, 9, 6, Truck 2, Engine 4 (F.A.S.T.) and Battalion 43. Engine 10 arrives and reports smoke showing from a 2-story S/F/D. Engine 10 stretches in for a kitchen fire.
Battalion 43 arrives and takes command for 917 N. 29th Street. Engine 9 takes the hydrant at 29th and Greenleaf. Engine 10 reports a cooking incident and reports the fire out.
Battalion 43 sends Engine 9 to the second floor for a search. Engine 9 finds fire in the walls on the 2nd floor above the kitchen. 43 reports heavy smoke pushing from the rear.
9C requested a hand line to the second floor for a fire in the closet. 43 signals a working fire. Crews cut the roof to ventilate.
Companies hold this fire to the 1st alarm assignment. Photo by Jayson Wagner.
Catasuaqua Police responded to the 300 block of Church Street for a disturbance. Once on scene, the officer called for a 10-44 - officer needs help. Units from Whitehall and North Catasauqua were sent there for to back-up the officer. The unruly subject was shot with a Taser gun multiple times. EMS was requested to the scene and they transported the person to a local hospital.
Friday: A working fire in a duplex at 1074 Wilkes-Barre Street in Easton was called in at 19:53 hours. The fire tore through 1074 and 1072 Wilkes-Barre Street before the fire was under control two hours later. You can see video, photos and the story by clicking here.
Around 22:10 Hours, Allentown sent Engines 10, 4, 9, Truck 2, Engine 11 (F.A.S.T.) and battalion 43 to 221 N. 22nd Street for a fire. Engine 10 arrived and reported smoke showing and stretched a hand line to the basement for an electrical fire.
Allentown, Pa. - Box 3539 was transmitted at 02:54 for 2327 Hanover Avenue at Scoobies Gentleman's Club for a fire. Engines 13, 6, 9, Truck 2 and the 43 Bn responded. Police arrived and reported smoke from the building.
Engine 13 arrived first and reported nothing showing. The chief arrived simultaneously and investigated and found smoke from second floor window and signaled a working fire. Members forced the door and stretched a hand line into the 1st floor where they found a fire.
Members quickly darkened down the fire while other members opened up the structure and searched both floors of the business. The Fire Marshal's office is investigating the fire.
Allentown, Pa. - 10:23 AM Allentown transmitted box 2118 for 941 Hamilton Street sending Engines 9, 6, 10, Truck 2, Battalion 43 (Held) and Engine 4 as the F.A.S.T. company.
Engine 9 arrived first to a 6-story 20x80 Occupied Multiple Dwelling (OMD) and reported nothing showing from the front and had people outside. They went in to investigate and found smoke on the 3rd floor. They ordered a line to be stretched and all firefighters into the building for search and rescue.
Police officers in the rear of the building reported people hanging out of windows and rescued one person from the third floor. Smoke was pouring from the rear of the building.
The second alarm was transmitted bringing with it Engines 14 and 13. Members stretched into a third floor apartment and quickly extinguished a kitchen fire.
All other searches came up negative and the building was completely evacuated without further incident.
Allentown, Pa. - Around 03:00 hours Sunday, Allentown Engine 14, EMS and Police responded to the 1300 block of South 4th Street for an accident with injurie and partial ejection.
Units arrived to find a two car crash with debris that littered the city block. One car was at South 4th and Juniata and the other at Chapel.
EMS transported 2 to the trauma center and one person was pronounced dead at the scene.
Photos by Correspondent Mike Nester. You can view more photos here.
Allentown, Pa. - Box 5117 was transmitted at 4:03 PM for a house fire with possible entrapment at 1019 Wyoming Street. The assignment consists of Engines 11, 9, 14, Truck 2, Engine 4 (F.A.S.T.) and Battalion 43 (Wehr).
Enroute, dispatch advises the police are on location reporting an active fire. Battalion 43 signals smoke showing from the 8th Street Bridge. When he arrives, he transmits a working fire in a 2-story duplex with fire on side 3 (rear). Engine 4 arrives as the F.A.S.T. company and the Captain reports heavy fire in the rear.
Chief Wehr reports a possible propane tank on fire. The first-due engine stretches into the main fire building and Engine 14 stretches a second line to the exposure. The fire appears to have started in the rear of 1017 and spread quickly to side 2 (1019). Both dwellings were heavily involved.
At 16:10, Battalion Chief Wehr strikes the 2nd alarm, bringing in Engines 6, 13, Air 1, Chief 40, 46, 48 and 47. Engine 10 was moved up to Central Station to cover Engine 4.
Ladder 2 was positioned in the rear alley and put their master stream in-service. Engine 11 and 9 were positioned in the front of the building and Engine 6 was positioned in the alley with ladder 2.
A total of 5 lines were stretched and operating. The fire was under control by 17:15 hours. All searches were negative.
Allentown, Pa. - Around 17:00 hours Allentown box 1235 was transmitted for 1201 N. 6th Street at the Jordan Park for a dog stuck under the foot bridge over the Jordan Creek.
Engines 6, 9, Truck 2 and Battalion 43 (Atiyeh) responded. 43 arrived and requested the Dive Unit with 3 divers. A Pit Bull was sucked into the tube under the foot bridge while swimming in the creek.
Two hours later, they recovered the pet. Allentown Police assisted the owner by transporting it to the owners home in the city.
A large crowd gathered as firefighters tried to rescue the dog. Extra police officers were on the scene to keep the crowds away from the scene.
Allentown, Pa. - Friday morning, Allentown Animal Control Officer was involved in an accident at 6th and Walnut Streets. Engines 4, 9, Truck 2 and Battalion 43 (Wehr) responded along with EMS and Police.
Police arrived and confirmed the driver was pinned. Rescue workers put their tools in-service and cut the roof off the truck to get the officer out. They worked about 30 minutes to free him.
EMS transported him to a local hospital. Photos and video by Correspondent Mike Nester.
Allentown, Pa. -At 7:15 AM Box 2536 was transmitted for 228 N. West Street for a house fire sending Engines 10, 4, 9, 6 (F.A.S.T.), Truck 2 and Battalion 43 (Henrick).
Engine 10 and Chief 43 arrived and reported heavy fire on the 1st floor of a 3-story Middle-Of-Row (M/O/R) and called it a working fire. Crews stretched a hand line and knocked down the fire on the porch and advanced in to the interior.
Battalion Chief Henrick struck the 2nd alarm for an additional 2 engines, engines 11 & 14. Volunteer companies were called to stand-by at their respective stations for the city.
Crews quickly darkened down the bulk of the fire and conducted searches on all 3 floors and those searches were negative. Companies gained entry to the adjoining homes to check for extension.
Companies operated on the scene for about two hours overhauling and assisting the fire marshals office in their investigation. Chief 46 (Laubach) was requested to the scene with his K-9 partner to assist in the investigation.
Photographs by Dennis Wetherhold Jr.and Mike Nester.
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