At 12:26 PM Friday, Lehigh County 911 received reports of a house on fire due to a back pack exploding at 451 South Walnut Street in Slatington, PA. sending Station 24, Engine 29, Engine 9, Ladder 24, Ladder 29, Rescue 11 (R.I.T.) and medic 67.
Police arrived moments later and reported a man on the roof and heavy smoke showing and advised that the fire department may want to hit a second alarm. Chief 24 struck the 2nd alarm.
Ladder 24 arrived to a 2-story wood frame duplex with fire showing. The third alarm was sounded. A 9-1-1 third party caller reported a 19 year old male on the second floor and couldn’t get out and then the phone went dead.
Firefighters had to darken down the fire on the first floor and push into the second floor to search for the individual. Before that search was complete, chief 24 had located the individual outside and safe.
Firefighters remained on the scene for hours dousing hot spots. Numerous pet dogs perished in the blaze. One fire police officer was hurt on the scene.
