Crews from Station 31, along with mutual aid departments, responded to the fire on the 100 block of Hemlock Lane at 3:30 p.m., according to the Newberry Township Fire Department.
Assistant Chief Harbold arrived to find flames consuming a one-and-a-half-story single-family home and requested additional resources, establishing Hemlock Command, the release said. Tanker and Rescue 31 initiated fire attack operations, with support from Trucks 69 (DLA), 89-2 (YAUFR), and crews from Goldsboro’s Engine 28-2 and Fairview’s Engine 68-2. The fire was later upgraded to a second alarm for additional manpower, Assistant Chief Shuler overseeing operations.
Although initial reports suggested occupants might be inside, it was confirmed that no one was home when the fire broke out, the fire department said. The family was attending the Philadelphia Eagles’ playoff game when they learned about the devastating fire, PennLive reported.
During firefighting efforts, icy conditions caused one firefighter to slip and fall outside the structure. The injured crew member was treated on-site by EMS and transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, officials said.
This marks the station’s fifth working structure fire in 30 days and the sixth call of the day, according to the department. The cause of the fire was determined to be unintentional.
The department expressed gratitude to a neighbor who generously provided pizza, water, coffee, and hot chocolate to crews at the scene.
Read the full PennLive article.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Warminster-Southampton and receive free news updates.