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Firefighters douse burning mattress

By RON GOWER

TNEDITOR@TNONLINE.COMDamage was confined to a second floor bedroom when a mattress caught fire at a Summit Hill home early Thursday afternoon.The fire, believed started accidentally by a cigarette lighter, occurred on the 100 block of White Street.Officials didn't identify the occupants but said a woman sustained burns to a hand. She was treated at the scene by Lehighton Ambulance personnel.Fire Chief Shawn Hoben said the fire began when a child apparently got the lighter. He ruled the fire accidental.Chief of Police Joseph Fittos Jr. was the first official to arrive on the scene and assured all occupants of the house escaped safely.Hoben arrived seconds later.Initially, the call was that there was possible entrapment, but fortunately everybody got out without incident.Smoke could be seen coming from a side, second story bedroom window.Hoben said although the fire was contained to the mattress, there was smoke damage throughout the house. The house where the fire happened is part of a duplex.Responding were personnel from fire departments in Summit Hill, Lansford, Coaldale and Tamaqua. Summit Hill fire police assisted with traffic control. The Salvation Army was also present.The incident was called under control within about 20 minutes.Fittos praised the quick response by fire department personnel. "I have a lot of praise for the fire department," he said. "It's amazing how fast they got here. All the fire departments in the area do an excellent job."