Lansford duplex ravaged

Early on Jan. 11, a fire ravaged a vacant double-block home.A 30-year veteran firefighter said, “It’s like a tornado blowing up the street.”Tuscarora business lostMaterial Dynamics LLC in Tuscarora was lost to a fire on Jan. 24. The building was a staple part of the history, starting off in 1965 as Tuscarora Sportswear, a garment factory.“I think every woman in Tuscarora worked there at one time or another,” a volunteer said.The fire was so extreme due to the paraffin they used at the business. Emergency responders from as far as Pottsville and Schuylkill Haven were dispatched because the commercial fire occurred in a large industrial complex.Fire destroys former eateryThe former Swiss Chalet restaurant was one of Schuylkill County’s most well-known eateries and was later converted to apartments. The building went up in flames on Feb. 2. Ten fire companies battled the swift-moving fire. No injuries were reported.Summit Hill triplex damagedA Summit Hill fire left seven homeless and killed four pet cats on Feb. 18. A dog was saved from the fire. The fire could have easily destroyed the triplex, but the quick response from local firefighters saved the structure from collapsing.Fire departments were from Summit Hill, Lansford, Coaldale, Tamaqua, Mahoning Township and Jim Thorpe.Lehighton and Mahoning Valley ambulance companies were present along with Lehigh and Lausanne Fire Company.Careless smokingFire displaced five residents and damages four houses on March 24. The blaze damaged houses at 114, 116, 118 and 120 S. Center St. in Tamaqua. Careless smoking was blamed for the blaze.Popular eatery damagedThe Stone Row Pub & Eatery was damaged in an early morning fire on June 23. The Race Street restaurant quickly became a staple in the Jim Thorpe tourist business. The restaurant was helped by the Union Publick House to help the staff members until the restaurant reopened.Blaze destroys 13 housesThirteen vacant houses were damaged in a suspicious fire in Shenandoah Valley, Schuylkill County.The fire started in the rear of 9 N. Union St., and the cause is listed as “incendiary in nature.” Julian’s Carwash on East Centre Street was also damaged buy the fire.Trooper saves elderly womanAn elderly woman was saved by a state trooper from a house fire on July 27.State trooper Jonathan Bailey of Fern Ridge barracks was first on the scene and learned that an elderly woman was trapped in the home. The trooper is was credited by Penn Forest Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 Chief Dave Vuckovic for saving the life of the woman.The damage to the home was minimal.Eighteen displaced from homeA fire on N. Second St., Lehighton, displaced 18 a day before Thanksgiving. The fire damaged four homes. No one was injured in the blaze. The fire was noticed by Jason Wisor when he was getting up for work. He noticed the fire on the porch of 247 N. Second St. The American Red Cross provided emergency assistance for the four families affected.Blaze rips through wood shopA fire broke out in Summit Hill wood shop on Nov. 29.The fire was next to the Carbon County Environmental Education Center, but the center did not sustain any damage. The owner, Mark Olving, was in the shop when the fire started from some sparks. The fire spread before Olving could respond. He escaped unharmed.The fire was quickly put out, but nothing from the wood shop could be salvaged.— Amanda J. Treible