SCHUYLKILL HAVEN COMMERCIAL FIRE 5-31-2012 PICTURES AND VIDEOS BY COALREGIONFIRE
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN (SCHUYLKILL COUNTY), PA: On June 1, 2012 at 18:00 hours the Schuylkill Haven Fire Department were then dispatched to 20 West Main Street, in Schuylkill Haven for a commercial building fire. The building was a two story garage that was attached to other structures. The building was now being used for storage for the Schuylkill Gun Works.
The Schuylkill Haven Police went on scene and reported he had heavy fire showing from the rear of the building. He informed the dispatcher he heard multiple explosions coming from the building due the black powder and ammunitions. Schuylkill Haven Engine 732, Engine 737, and Ladder 725 were the first units on scene and went into offensive operations on the Alpha Side. Schuylkill Haven Fire Chief 720 established incident command and request the second alarm be dispatched. Cressona Fire Department, West End Ladder 51 and the RIT Team from Pottsville respond to the scene.
Engines 733 staged at the rear of the burning building and try to knock down the heavy fire on the Charlie Side of the structure.
Engine 736 established a connection to a hydrant and deployed a number of hose lines to the fire building. The crew from Ladder 725 set up and placed their ladder into service on the A Side of the building. The attack crews found fire throughout the building and extending to the roof. The fire spread quickly through the roof and the building. West End Ladder 51 was the second ladder on scene and sent its ladder into the air to prepare for master stream work. Pottsville Engine 11 and Squad 72 were the first RIT companies on the scene and staged in the area. The Incident Commander sized up the building and found that there were numerous parts of the building burning. He then requested the 3rd alarm units to the scene to assist with operations.
Second and Third alarm unit arrived on the scene and staged on the Parkway. Engine Companies from Cressona, Landingville, Pine Grove, Orwigsburg, Port Carbon, and the Englewood RIT Team responded to the scene. The 3rd Alarm also brought in Minersville Ladder 519, Rescue 518, Engine 528 and Tamaqua units for a third RIT Team. Saint Clair Tower Ladder responded and was told to assist Ladder 519 with ventilation.
The fire condition in the building worsened and Command decided to go into defensive mode to hit the fire. Multiple explosions took placed which nearly injured fire fighters. A PAR report was then taken on the fire ground of all fire fighters. A multiple portable master streams were put into action and surrounded the building.
Pottsville Ladder 51 was set up on the Bravo Side to prepare for an elevated master stream if needed. Minersville Ladder 519 and Saint Clair Tower 701 took positions on the Delta Side and assist roof operations.
The defensive operation caused a very drastic problem with water pressure that was being taken from hydrants. It was then decided to have mutual aid engines draft from the nearby Schuylkill River and supply engines that were feeding attack lines
The warm temperatures were extra burden on the fire fighters causing the need for more manpower. Chief 720 made the fourth alarm request for Hamburg’s Ladder 61 and Mahanoy City RIT Team. Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville EMS were on scene for Rehab operations.
An hour into the fire fighting operations a “Mayday” was transmitted on the fire ground. An assistant fire chief from Cressona foot fell through the second floor while over hauling. He was quickly rescued by the roof crew from Minersville. He was placed in a Stokes basket and taken to the first floor of the fire building. Englewood’s RIT Team removed him from the building and carried him down the alley to the waiting EMS units. He was transported to a local hospital to be treated for a minor leg injury.
A number of local fire police units were called to the scene to shut down Main Street. The fire was eventually brought under control by 21:00 hours. The building was a total loss and had to be closely watched through out the night to prevent rekindles. The cause of that fire was determined to be accidental. The State Police Arson investigator will be investigating this fire very closely stated the Incident Commander. The fire units left the fire scene and the street was reopened after midnight. Frackville-Goodwill Ladder 43-20 stood by at a Minersville Rescue fire station throughout the incident.
Read MoreThe Schuylkill Haven Police went on scene and reported he had heavy fire showing from the rear of the building. He informed the dispatcher he heard multiple explosions coming from the building due the black powder and ammunitions. Schuylkill Haven Engine 732, Engine 737, and Ladder 725 were the first units on scene and went into offensive operations on the Alpha Side. Schuylkill Haven Fire Chief 720 established incident command and request the second alarm be dispatched. Cressona Fire Department, West End Ladder 51 and the RIT Team from Pottsville respond to the scene.
Engines 733 staged at the rear of the burning building and try to knock down the heavy fire on the Charlie Side of the structure.
Engine 736 established a connection to a hydrant and deployed a number of hose lines to the fire building. The crew from Ladder 725 set up and placed their ladder into service on the A Side of the building. The attack crews found fire throughout the building and extending to the roof. The fire spread quickly through the roof and the building. West End Ladder 51 was the second ladder on scene and sent its ladder into the air to prepare for master stream work. Pottsville Engine 11 and Squad 72 were the first RIT companies on the scene and staged in the area. The Incident Commander sized up the building and found that there were numerous parts of the building burning. He then requested the 3rd alarm units to the scene to assist with operations.
Second and Third alarm unit arrived on the scene and staged on the Parkway. Engine Companies from Cressona, Landingville, Pine Grove, Orwigsburg, Port Carbon, and the Englewood RIT Team responded to the scene. The 3rd Alarm also brought in Minersville Ladder 519, Rescue 518, Engine 528 and Tamaqua units for a third RIT Team. Saint Clair Tower Ladder responded and was told to assist Ladder 519 with ventilation.
The fire condition in the building worsened and Command decided to go into defensive mode to hit the fire. Multiple explosions took placed which nearly injured fire fighters. A PAR report was then taken on the fire ground of all fire fighters. A multiple portable master streams were put into action and surrounded the building.
Pottsville Ladder 51 was set up on the Bravo Side to prepare for an elevated master stream if needed. Minersville Ladder 519 and Saint Clair Tower 701 took positions on the Delta Side and assist roof operations.
The defensive operation caused a very drastic problem with water pressure that was being taken from hydrants. It was then decided to have mutual aid engines draft from the nearby Schuylkill River and supply engines that were feeding attack lines
The warm temperatures were extra burden on the fire fighters causing the need for more manpower. Chief 720 made the fourth alarm request for Hamburg’s Ladder 61 and Mahanoy City RIT Team. Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville EMS were on scene for Rehab operations.
An hour into the fire fighting operations a “Mayday” was transmitted on the fire ground. An assistant fire chief from Cressona foot fell through the second floor while over hauling. He was quickly rescued by the roof crew from Minersville. He was placed in a Stokes basket and taken to the first floor of the fire building. Englewood’s RIT Team removed him from the building and carried him down the alley to the waiting EMS units. He was transported to a local hospital to be treated for a minor leg injury.
A number of local fire police units were called to the scene to shut down Main Street. The fire was eventually brought under control by 21:00 hours. The building was a total loss and had to be closely watched through out the night to prevent rekindles. The cause of that fire was determined to be accidental. The State Police Arson investigator will be investigating this fire very closely stated the Incident Commander. The fire units left the fire scene and the street was reopened after midnight. Frackville-Goodwill Ladder 43-20 stood by at a Minersville Rescue fire station throughout the incident.
