At 10:43AM Thursday, Lehigh County transmitted box 2611 12th and Tilghman Streets for 1123 Tilghman Street on a house fire sending Engines 9, 4, 6, 10, Truck 1 and Battalion 43.
Battalion 43 arrived and reported heavy smoke showing from the 3-story Middle-of-Row and had the comm center strike out the 2nd alarm. As the first alarm companies were arriving, Police said their might be people trapped in the basement. Orders to the arriving units were to go into search and rescue. Moments later, police advised they evacuated occupants of 1125 Tilghman Street and got them to safety.
Engine 9 positioned in front of the fire building and Engine 6 laid a supply from 11th and Tilghman to Engine 9. Truck 1 positioned into Engine 9 and went to the second floor and roof. Engine 10 pulled in behind Truck 1 and had a hydrant right there at the end of the row.
On the second alarm, Engines 14 and 13 with Air 1 responded. Engine 13 came in off Washington Street with a supply line up North Amanda Street then stretched a leader line up the rear alley of the fire building.
As the fire extended vertically and horizontally, 43 struck the 3rd alarm. The fire eventually broke through the roof as it extended throughout the cockloft. South Whitehall Engine 11 and Rescue 11 were dispatched on the 3rd alarm as Allentown Engine 11 was responding to a crash involving a police cruiser at 8th and Union Streets.
When they cleared the scene, Engine 11 responded to the fire. Engine 11 positioned on Washington Street at Amanda Street.
