At 3:10PM Monday afternoon, Allentown transmitted box 2325 (7th & Washington) for a house fire in the 800 block on North 7th Street sending Engines 4, 6, 10, 14, Truck 2 and Battalion 43.
Battalion 43 signed on air responding and the fire dispatcher advised the chief that multiple calls were being received and they had smoke on the street camera so the Battalion Chief added another engine on the box. Engine 13 was then added as the additional engine above the first alarm.
Once on scene, the chief turned the corner and reported heavy black smoke showing from the rear of the 3-story M/O/R and signaled a working fire. The fire was originating from 817 North 7th Street.
The box was quickly upgraded to a second alarm adding Engine 9. The chief reported two homes burning in the rear. Truck 2 set up just south of the fire building and went to the roof.
At 15:15 Lehigh County alerted Engines 37, 30, 11, 20, 31, Ladder 231 and Rescue 11 to stand-by for the city and eventually moved up the companies to cover the city stations.
Video and photos by Mike Nester.