TAMAQUA MULTIPLE HOUSE FIRE 7-5-2011 PICTURES AND VIDEOS BY COALREGIONFIRE
TAMAQUA (SCHUYLKILL COUNTY), PA: On July 5, 2011 at 03:05 hours the Tamaqua Fire Department (American, Citizen, East End and South Ward Fire Companies), Tamaqua Ladder Truck, Tamaqua Rescue and Tamaqua Ambulance were dispatched to 15 S Lehigh St. in Tamaqua for a house fire. The police arrived in a minutes and found large flames coming from the front of the two homes. The heavy flames were visible from the windows of the homes.
Tamaqua Citizens Engine 782 and South Ward Engine 784 arrived on scene and found a working fire. Engine 784 established a water supply from a hydrant in front of the residences made a defensive attack to stop the fire. South Ward Engine 784 staged south of the home on Lehigh St. The additional Tamaqua engine crews backed up the attack crew and attack the rear of the residence to stop the spreading fire. Citizens Engine 782 established a second water supply and attacked the front of the residences with large hose lines. The Tamaqua Ladder 770 staged north of the homes and sent its ladder in to the air to operate an elevated master stream.
The Lansford and Summit Hill Fire Companies responded to the scene and its crews provided RIT Team operations. Chief 772 arrived on scene and assumed Incident Command. Command then requested additional RIT Team and the second alarm to the scene. The Coaldale Engine and Tower responded to the scene to assist the other fire fighters. Coaldale Tower staged in the rear of the homes and sent its tower into the air to attack the fire. Pottsville City Engine 11 and Squad 72 responded and provided the second due RIT Team operations.
Fire fighters operated a number of exterior large master streams during the defensive operations. The fire conditions in the homes were knocked down and the crews were able to entire the homes. Fire fighters conducted extensive overhaul operations in the smoldering homes. They had to be very cautious due the homes received major structural damage and risk of collapsing. The fire was under controlled in two hours and all hot spots were out 08:00 hours. The fire chief believes the fire started in the first floor living room of 11 S Lehigh St. The fire chief reported that there were no serious injuries to fire fighters or residents. The Incident Commander reported that three homes were destroyed and two other homes received major damage. Four vehicle parked in front of the homes were also damaged. A total of 11 residents are now homeless and needed to be relocated. Tamaqua Ambulance and American Red Cross provided rehab to the fire fighters operating on the scene. Tamaqua and Hometown Fire Police redirected the traffic away from the fire scene.
Read MoreTamaqua Citizens Engine 782 and South Ward Engine 784 arrived on scene and found a working fire. Engine 784 established a water supply from a hydrant in front of the residences made a defensive attack to stop the fire. South Ward Engine 784 staged south of the home on Lehigh St. The additional Tamaqua engine crews backed up the attack crew and attack the rear of the residence to stop the spreading fire. Citizens Engine 782 established a second water supply and attacked the front of the residences with large hose lines. The Tamaqua Ladder 770 staged north of the homes and sent its ladder in to the air to operate an elevated master stream.
The Lansford and Summit Hill Fire Companies responded to the scene and its crews provided RIT Team operations. Chief 772 arrived on scene and assumed Incident Command. Command then requested additional RIT Team and the second alarm to the scene. The Coaldale Engine and Tower responded to the scene to assist the other fire fighters. Coaldale Tower staged in the rear of the homes and sent its tower into the air to attack the fire. Pottsville City Engine 11 and Squad 72 responded and provided the second due RIT Team operations.
Fire fighters operated a number of exterior large master streams during the defensive operations. The fire conditions in the homes were knocked down and the crews were able to entire the homes. Fire fighters conducted extensive overhaul operations in the smoldering homes. They had to be very cautious due the homes received major structural damage and risk of collapsing. The fire was under controlled in two hours and all hot spots were out 08:00 hours. The fire chief believes the fire started in the first floor living room of 11 S Lehigh St. The fire chief reported that there were no serious injuries to fire fighters or residents. The Incident Commander reported that three homes were destroyed and two other homes received major damage. Four vehicle parked in front of the homes were also damaged. A total of 11 residents are now homeless and needed to be relocated. Tamaqua Ambulance and American Red Cross provided rehab to the fire fighters operating on the scene. Tamaqua and Hometown Fire Police redirected the traffic away from the fire scene.