CARBONDALE TWP. — Fire crews from multiple departments rushed to a two-alarm blaze in Childs early Thursday morning.
The fire was originally called in as a porch fire at 115 Main St., but firefighters soon learned several people were trapped on a rear porch roof and that flames had spread.
A second alarm was immediately called at that point, according to Meredith Hose Company Chief Tony Aileo.
An early morning fire in Childs heavily damaged an apartment building, but there were no injuries. (Courtesy Carbondale Township fire department)
Firefighters’ first priority was to get “four or five” people off the porch roof of the four-unit apartment building and to safety, Aileo said.
Firefighters fought the flames aggressively, wetting down the entire structure, he said. Crews were called out at 4:15 a.m. and the fire was extinguished by 5:20.
They remained on the scene until nearly 10:30 a.m., completing “overhaul,” ensuring the fire was out completely and watering down any smoldering areas.
Aileo said he believed the building was a total loss and the Red Cross was called in to assist about 15 occupants of the apartments.
In addition to Meredith Hose Company, Jermyn, Scott Twp., Browndale, Carbondale, Clifford and Moscow were among the companies that responded to the fire.
Aileo lauded the departments for working as a team, saving lives as well as timely putting out the fire.
The cause of the fire had not yet been determined, he said. A state police fire marshal is investigating.