Mid-afternoon Wednesday, Lehigh County Fire Dispatch transmitted the box for 1343 North 14th Street at the Spring Ridge Apartments for a fire. The 911 center was receiving multiple calls for a fire on the rear balcony of a 2nd floor apartment.
A working fire signal was transmitted and the Chief of Department (D. Nelson) had the 2nd alarm transmitted with a special-call for an engine from the city of Allentown.
Before the arrival of the Fire Department the smoke condition was so heavy it covered the entire building with thick black smoke. First arriving companies, Allentown Engine 10 took the rear of the building and stretched a 2.5 inch hand line and started to darken down the seat of the fire on the balcony. South Whitehall Township Engine 11 (Greenawalds) arrived at the front of the building and stretched a hand line to the interior.
Within minutes of the two pumpers arriving, water was on the fire and the fire started darkening down. Visibility improved immediately with the water on the fire.
A may-day was called for a firefighter down. He was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.
The fire was held to two-alarms using 7 engines, 1 ladder and a rescue. Numerous EMS trucks were on scene from Cetronia EMS.
