8 displaced after apartment building fire in Allentown

VIDEO: Eight people are displaced after a fire at an apartment building in Allentown Monday afternoon. Crews were called to the residence on North 17th Street around 5 p.m., according to Capt. John Christopher with the Allentown Fire Department. Christopher said heavy fire on the second floor spread into the third floor and an attic area. He said crews had to let the fire burn through the roof. A plume of smoke could be seen from Ward Street near the Little Lehigh Creek, which is about a mile away. So much fire was trapped between two layers of slate. "We actually pulled our personnel out for a little while," Christopher said. Everyone made it out of the apartment, Christopher said. "When we got on scene, everyone was out of the structure," he said. No one - firefighters or residents - was injured.
WFMZ-TV 69 Allentown

Millcreek Township Hires First Full-Time Firefighters

For Jeffrey Peyton, it's a moment he's been waiting 12 years to experience. "It means a lot," said Peyton. "I grew up doing the volunteer service with West Ridge and a couple other departments in Millcreek." On Monday, Peyton was one of nine firefighters to be sworn in, to Millcreek Township's new full-time department. "It's crazy to think about," said Peyton. "I'm grateful to be part of it and see where this goes in the future." For decades, Millcreek departments have relied on volunteers. Over the years, the number of people donating their time has declined. "As things have evolved, and the national decline of volunteers, it really is important that we take a next step in having full-time career staff," said Millcreek Fire Chief Michael Cliff. "When an emergency happens, minutes count and we just need to make sure we're prepared."
WICU-TV NBC 12 Erie

6 dogs killed in fire at Centre County home

PHOTOS: Several dogs were killed in an early morning fire at an Amish residence in Centre County Monday. Four fire departments were sent to the fire on the 5000 block of Brush Valley Road in Miles Township at 2:57 a.m. According to Miles Township Fire Company Chief Eric Miller, a building on the property was on fire and it took firefighters five minutes to get the blaze under control. Miller said six dogs died in the fire and no people were injured. Miller also believes that the dogs were family pets. The fire is believed to have been caused by a propane heater at the back of the structure. The building was a total loss. Miles Township Fire Company responded to the scene along with the Spring Mills Fire Company, Centre Hall Fire Company and the Clinton County Fire Department.
WTAJ-TV CBS 10 Altoona

Woman seriously burned after Lansford fire

Crews were called after an early morning fire in Lansford. According to Lansford Fire Chief Joseph Greco, crews from Lansford, Summit Hill, Coaldale, and Lehighton were called at around 7:20 a.m. Monday to the 200 block of East Ridge Street in Lansford for a reported fire-related incident. Chief Greco told 28/22 News fire crews found a 74-year-old woman with serious burn injuries to her chest, head, and neck after reportedly smoking while on oxygen. Fire Chief Greco told 28/22 News the woman was smoking while on oxygen when the fire happened and that only the woman and her grandson were home at the time. Fire crews checked the scene, found no structural damage, and left at 7:50 a.m.
WBRE-TV NBC 28 Wilkes-Barre

Third-alarm fire destroys Tower City home

A home was left in ruin after a third-alarm fire in Schuylkill County. Officials say first responders were called to 31 East Grand Avenue, Tower City, for a working residential fire just before 5:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. A release from the Tower City Volunteer Fire Company says the fire was upgraded to a third-alarm fire after multiple firefighters fell through unstable parts of the floor. The Tower City Volunteer Fire Company says all firefighters were evaluated by EMS and released on the scene. A state police fire marshal has been called to the scene to investigate what may have caused the fire. Several families have been affected by the flames, including a former elementary school teacher. The Muir Volunteer Fire Company has organized a 50/50 raffle to help raise money for the former teacher’s family.
WBRE-TV NBC 28 Wilkes-Barre

1 person dead, multiple injured after Lewistown high-rise fire, officials say

One woman is dead, and several others were injured after an early morning fire at a high-rise apartment building in Lewistown, Mifflin County, according to a fire official. Lewistown Borough Fire Chief Bob Barlett said they were called to the Kish Apartments on South Main Street just after 5 on Thanksgiving morning for an automatic fire alarm. His crews quickly discovered fire in an apartment on the third floor with a woman victim inside. He said she was taken to the hospital and died a short time later. Barlett said 3 or 4 residents needed rescued and were treated for smoke inhalation, along with a firefighter. He said several of the residents were transported to the hospital. The firefighter was treated at the scene. Barlett said the Mifflin County coroner was called to the hospital.
WJAC-TV NBC/CW+ 6 Johnstown

Brentwood volunteer firefighter preparing for first military deployment

A local service member is getting deployed for the first time. Sgt. Jared Lukens of Brentwood has been in the U.S. Army for seven years. Not only will this be his first military deployment, it’ll also be his first Christmas away from home. In a few weeks, the 23-year-old will be leaving from the Pittsburgh International Airport to go overseas. Military officials won’t allow him to tell Channel 11 exactly where he’ll be, but Lukens said his mission is not related to helping in the Israel-Hamas war. Lukens is a mechanic in the Army and once he’s deployed, he’ll be working on maintaining military trucks. There are a lot of firsts for him. He said this will also be his first time out of the country and is a bit nervous but mostly excited. “Little bit of shock, little bit of excitement, anxious to go,” Lukens said.
WPXI-TV NBC 11 Pittsburgh

Large Quakertown shed fire leaves no one injured

VIDEO: Fire crews in the Quakertown area jumped into action to stop intense flames from a large shed from spreading any further. The fire broke out this morning in the 400 block of California Road near the border with Richland Township. Smoke could be seen a few miles away. We've heard no reports of injuries.
WFMZ-TV 69 Allentown