Top Picks

Description

Fire destroys 6 homes in Tamaqua this morning 11 people displaced, 7 homes damaged, 3 cars totaled, 16 pets missing A fiery orange glow and heavy smoke filled the Tamaqua horizon around 3 a.m. this morning as firefighters from two counties responded to a structure fire involving three sets of duplexes on South Lehigh Street in Tamaqua. Luckily, all of the residents managed to escape the fully engulfed fire with only a few minor injuries. In all, the fasting moving fire, which also involved multiple explosions, left 11 people displaced, claimed 6 homes, totaled 3 vehicles and resulted in 16 pets missing or dead. Seven homes across the street were also damaged as a result of the high heat. Loud noises and pops could be heard a few blocks away as items inside the burning homes exploded or pole transformers overloaded. A witness stated he saw falling ashes almost a mile away from the fire. In addition to a few hour power outage to surrounding homes, power was also shut off for the entire western section of Tamaqua, to include Five Points intersection, for about 40 minutes as James Connely, First Assistant and Incident Commander, Tamaqua Fire Department, requested PPL to temporarily turn off power to a number of nearby transformers as safety precautions to firefighters using ladder trucks and lift buckets. The fire appeared to start at 11 South Lehigh Street, which was recently moved in by Amanda Dana, her mother Karen Kershner, her Uncle Robert Dana, and her two kids, son Alex 7, and daughter Elizabeth, 2. They lost one pet to the fire and are still looking for their black and white pit boxer mix dog and 8 cats. Amanda, who was quick to grab her 2 year old, turned back and didn't see her son behind her. While having her hair catch fire, Amanda ran back in to search for her son without success. Her son was actually outside going back and forth between neighbors homes alerting them to the fire. 9 South Lehigh Street, which has been unoccupied for many years, received a massive amount of damage. Living in 7 South Lehigh were John Bowman and son William Bowman who managed to save their dog, but lost two pickup trucks that caught fire in front of the homes. Kevin Kellner, who lived at 5 South Lehigh Street, saved one dog but can't account for his other one, a brown Shelby dog. Michael Sedlock, who escaped barefoot, and Shaleen Hoben also escaped without injury. Another pickup truck, owned by Marty Sedlock, was also damaged due to high heat. Harold Moseley, who lives at 15 South Lehigh St, Tamaqua, pointed out his appreciation to all the firefighters. Firefighters, who were quick to extinguish the flames, utilized a large low garage, owned by John Handler, to fight the fire on multiple sides. Cory McGeeham, who lives directly across the street from the fire, burned his arm as he used his garden hose to keep his neighbors homes from catching it. Responding were Rapid Intervention Teams from Lansford/Summit Hill and fire companies from Tamaqua, Coaldale, Lansford, Pottsville and others. Ambulances from Tamaqua, Lansford, Quakake responded. In addition to Tamaqua and Rush Township Police, Fire Police from Tamaqua, Coaldale and Hometown controlled congestion around the scene, as well as directed traffic at numerous intersections without power this morning, such as the Five Points intersection. The Schuylkill and East Northumberland County of the American Red Cross was on scene providing monetary and comfort support to all the displaced people, as well as providing food and refreshment to the emergency responders. Volunteers with the Tamaqua Salvation Army were also on scene providing assistance to the displaced people and providing coffee to the emergency responders. One unknown person at 228 West Broad Street was taken to the hospital via ambulance for respiratory problems. A Tamaqua Salvation Army's disaster response representative stressed that money is the best donation, no matter how small. Monetary donations for the fire victims...