Log In


Reset Password

Four buildings damaged in Lansford

Five people are displaced after a three-alarm fire in Lansford Wednesday.

A state police fire marshal is going back to the scene today to continue his investigation.

Firefighters from Carbon and Schuylkill counties responded to a working structure fire on West Ridge Street at 8 p.m.

When Lansford Fire Chief Joe Greco arrived on scene with a minute fire was through the roof at 154 and 156. All told, the fire consumed the homes at 154, 156, 156½ and 158 W. Ridge St.

“Everybody did make it out,” he said.

Greco said 154 was vacant, one person resided at 156, three at 156½ and one at 158. Residents, firefighters and police evacuated the victims. There were homes on either end and 156 and 156½ were each an apartment, Greco said.

The Red Cross was assisting those in need.

Firefighters were on scene until 3 a.m. continuing to try to drown out the fire, which continued to burn due to the void spaces firefighters had difficulty accessing and the collapse of the structures. Smoke alarms did sound, he said.

Greco said there was a “roof collapse in all three buildings,” adding the floor collapsed on 156. At 8:59 p.m. Evacuation tones were sounded to evacuate. A firefighter sustained an injury and was treated and released at a local hospital, Greco said.

He said the buildings are “uninhabitable.”

Greco and the fire marshal will determine the cause.

In addition to the numerous fire companies, police and Lehighton Ambulance and fire police from Lansford, Coaldale Summit Hill and Tamaqua responded.

Firefighters are on scene after a three-alarm fire broke out in Lansford. AMY MARCHIANO/TIMES NEWS
Firefighters battle a blaze that damaged four buildings and displaced five people. COPYRIGHT LARRY NEFF/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS