A quick response by fire crews in Mahanoy City and the surrounding communities on Thursday morning stopped a quickly spreading fire from damaging a whole block.
Just before 10:00am, on Thursday, emergency personnel were dispatched to the 300 Block of West South Street in Mahanoy City for a working structure fire.
Mahanoy City Police Officer Charles Kovalewski and Fire Chief Dan Markiewicz were first on scene and found heavy fire coming from the front of the home at 309 West South Street that was quickly spreading to adjacent homes.
The fire was upgraded to a 2nd alarm with all apparatus being parked on Catawissa Street and all manpower going to the scene of the fire.
The fire was brought under control within an hour but not before damaging 5 homes. The homes at 307, 309, and 311 sustained fire damage, 313 sustained smoke and water as well as a damaged roof, and 80 Catawissa Street sustained smoke damage. Two cars were also heavily damaged by the heat.
In total, 8 people including 4 children were displaced and the American Red Cross has been called to assist.
According to Fire Markiewicz the cause of the fire is under investigation but not suspicious. The fire was believed to have started in 309 West South Street and the owner was at home at the time of the fire. A State Police Fire Marshall has been called to assist.
Two people were treated at the scene by EMS, but it was not known if they were transported to the hospital or the extent of their injuries.
Chief Markiewicz credited the quick response by firefighters and was thankful many of the volunteers were not at work due to the holiday.
