SHAMOKIN — Fourteen people were left homeless after a two-alarm fire destroyed a three-story apartment building late Friday night.
Two of the 75 firefighters battling the blaze suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene by emergency medical technicians, Shamokin Fire Bureau Chief Jim Catino said.
The structure at 704-705 Shamokin St. erupted in flames at 10:30 p.m., Catino said.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control within 30 minutes, Catino said. The fire started in a rear first-floor apartment, the chief said, adding that he believed there were six apartments in the building.
“We responded quickly,” Catino said, “and we were able to confine the fire to the main structure at 704-705. There are apartments in the back, and people were inside, but they all got out safely.”
The origin of the blaze was undetermined as of Saturday afternoon, Catino said.
The fire caused heavy damage to the building’s second and third floors, said Catino, who was unable to provide an estimate of damage.
The Schuylkill and Eastern Northumberland chapter of the American Red Cross is helping the displaced residents, said Tim Firestone, emergency services director.
There were five families among the displaced, whose members ranged in age from 1 to 60, he said.
“There are a few who are staying in a motel, and some are staying with family members,” Firestone said Saturday. “We helped with what we could, with clothing and food.”
Shamokin police as of Saturday were trying to contact the building’s owner, who was in New Jersey, Catino said.
Catino said a first alarm in Shamokin requests assistance from all of the city’s units — four engines, a ladder truck and a rescue truck. A second alarm brings a Mount Carmel ladder truck, a main fire company from Coal Township, the Ralpho Township Fire Company engine and the East End and Kulpmont engine, which serves as a rapid intervention team.
The identities of those displaced by the fire were not available Saturday.
-- E-mail comments to rdandes@dailyitem.com
News
Related Photos
-
Harry Deitz/For The Daily Item
Discussion
Blaze leaves 14 out of a home
- News
-
-
Lewisburg schools face cuts in personnel, programs
Superintendent Mark DiRocco told the Lewisburg school board Thursday night that a proposed block grant system of school budget funding will run the district short of cash that will have to be made up through personnel and program cuts.
-
Mom: Keller's response left her cold
Like many people, Elise Nicol is concerned about Marcellus Shale and the industry's effects on Pennsylvania's environment. The Lewisburg mother of two cares about it enough that she sent an email to state Rep. Fred Keller, R-85 of Kreamer, asking him to oppose House Bill 1950, which passed the General Assembly on Wednesday.
-
Point Township authority concerned by sewer plant violations
Point Township Sewer Authority members Thursday night expressed concerns about a Feb. 3 letter sent to the Northumberland Sewer Authority by the state's Department of Environmental Protection saying that the borough authority has violated the Clean Streams Act.
-
Persing truck fee idea stalls
While Pennsylvania has passed legislation allowing communities to collect impact fees in 35 counties, Northumberland County is not one of them, and business leaders and lawmakers do not think Sunbury Mayor David Persing's plan to try to do his own version of an impact fee will pass muster.
-
Barber draws a crowd
The talk can be spirited at times, ranging from hunting to sports to home repairs. "You hear all kinds of stories," Gene Koehler, of Riverside, said Thursday as he waited for a haircut at The Masters barbershop, 209 Mill St.
-
State board approves table games at Valley Forge casino
VALLEY FORGE — A casino resort scheduled to open this spring in the Philadelphia suburb of Valley Forge has been approved for table games.
-
Doctors telling more adults: Get out and exercise
ATLANTA — A new study shows more and more U.S. adults are being told by their doctor to get off their duffs and exercise. A government survey found nearly 33 percent of adults who saw a doctor in the previous year said they were told to exercise. That was up from about 23 percent in 2000.
-
Former Northumberland County judge and three others die in Florida crash
EVERGLADES CITY, Fla. -- A former Northumberland County judge was one of four people killed Wednesday afternoon when their car collided with a van at an intersection, according to the Naples News. The victims were identified as James J. Rosini, 66, William J. Rosini, 68, Patricia C. Rosini, 65, all of Coal Township, Pa., and Deborah A. Korbich, 59, of Elysburg, Pa.
-
Warden demotes four bosses
SUNBURY -- Northumberland County Prison Warden Roy Johnson was able to trim about $135,000 in expenses by demoting four supervisors. He said Wednesday that he found a way to cut costs without laying off any staff. "I cut out 120 hours of supervisors' pay each week, but I need to fill the correction officer positions," Johnson said.
-
DJ pumps up audience
Every Tuesday evening, Richard Grogg can be found spinning tunes at possibly the most well-attended dance in Snyder County. A resident at the Selinsgrove Center since 1988, the 57-year-old said the thing he likes most about selecting and playing music is "making people happy." "Some people come up and ask for requests," he said.
-
Agency closes adult center
PENNS CREEK -- Union and Snyder County caregivers have had to look farther and wider for another program that can offer respite because the Agency on Aging can no longer afford to provide the service. The adult daily living center at the Penns Creek Adult Resource Center was a helpful program each week to about eight adults from the area dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia. But it closed Dec. 30.
-
New Berlin pushes to acquire school
NEW BERLIN -- The Borough Council sold the property where the New Berlin Elementary School is to the precursor of the Mifflinburg Area School District for $1 back in 1950. It was deeded to the district for construction of a school.
- More News Headlines
-
Lewisburg schools face cuts in personnel, programs
