Raw video: Three-alarm fire in seven Allentown, PA rowhomes with lots of video choices.
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More coverage of the fire from Firegeezer.com
The Allentown, Pennsylvania area seems to have an abundance of videographers who specialize in covering fires. It is quite often that we have a choice of at least four different videos of a fire. The three-alarm fire early Sunday morning that spread to seven rowhomes in Allentown was no exception. We start at the top with the video and radio traffic from Newsworking’s Bill Rohrer. Below, in order from top to bottom, are videos from Mike Nester (firtog) of Nester Video Productions (and Facebook page), Dan Clerico of NortheastBravest.com (click here for Dan’s still pictures) and Jayson Wagner. One firefighter suffered an injured shoulder fighting the fire.
Sarah Cassi, The Express-Times:
A three-alarm fire early this morning in the 1100 block of Catasauqua Avenue in Allentown destroyed seven homes and displaced more than a dozen people.
Fire crews were called about 2:38 a.m. to the back of 1108 and 1108 1/2 Catasauqua Ave. and could see flames and downed power lines when they arrived, Assistant Fire Chief Lee Laubach Jr. said.
Crews spent the next five hours working to get the blaze under control and officials were still there hours later.
The fire broke out just before three a.m. According to Allentown Fire Chief Robert Scheirer, the flames traveled up the roof line where it spread from one home to the next within minutes.
“The fire quickly spread,” said Scheirer. “They found fire on several floors already when they arrived.”
Some residents were critical of the fire department’s response time.
“It took too long getting the water on it,” said resident Eddie Johnson. “It took much too long getting the water.”
None of the residents were injured, but one firefighter suffered an injured shoulder when he slipped on a wet floor, Allentown fire Chief Robert Scheirer said.
Eddie Johnson Sr. said he questioned why firefighters didn’t put water on the flames immediately, and considered getting his garden hose.
“They took their time, man,” Johnson said.
Allentown fire Capt. John Christopher said the fire appears to have started at the rear of the first floor of the home at 11081/2 N. Catasauqua Ave. When firefighters arrived, the fire was inside the walls and ceiling of the home and had to be exposed before it could be doused.
Although the fire department transmitted a second alarm at 3:12 a.m. and a third alarm at 3:25 a.m. to summon more firefighters, the flames rapidly spread through the common loft of the homes.
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