6th + Alarm Working Structure Fire
0306 NCCC dispatched a WSF in the area of 150 West Girard Street, Atlas. Chief 20 immediately assumed command and upgraded it to a 2nd alarm. Due to the anticipated high volume of water needed for this row home type fire command quickly upgraded the call incrementally past 6th alarm. Eventually Fire Fighters from 5 counties worked on this incident with a total of 54 apparatus being dispatched.
Upon arrival Police and Fire personnel found the "C" side of 149 -- 151 fully involved and spreading to adjoining structures. It was finally stopped at 137 -- 141 West Girard.
Fire Chief Charles Gasperetti (Command) stated "I am very glad it was stopped where it was," "This could have been a lot worse, and I commend all of the firefighters for their hard work" "there was a water issue on scene, but only because so many sources were pulling on the system. It prompted him to call for further assistance." Command radioed "I need five tanker trucks here," "I don't care where you get them from, just get them here."
Chief Gasperetti, who lives in the area of the fire scene, knew about the fire before the first crew arrived. "There was that much smoke, the smoke detector went off in our middle bedroom," "I looked outside and saw the flames." knew the history of the buildings involved an order for defensive operations was issued at the start of the fire.
Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Kelly Campbell, said "the three-story building was fully engulfed in flames." "Not a soul was around the building, except for neighbors."
The only occupied structure was 143-145 West Girard. PD woke up the homeowner and alerted him to the fire.
Real Estate records show
151 W. Girard St. is owned by Susanna Winters and Paul Bridy, of Raleigh, N.C.
The remainder of the structures are owned by Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau as abandoned structures.
The American Red Cross helped Thomson with food and clothing, and a fund has been set up for donations. Those wishing to contribute can give to the Seth Thomson Fire Victim Fund, c/o Union National Bank, 1 N. Oak St., P.O. Box 367, Mount Carmel, 17851.
151"Was built as an Italian multi-family home by my great-grandfather when they came to America" "He built another one further down Girard Street and the home at 151 also had a grocery store in the front."
Fire Marshal Brian Hullenbush has determined PP & L electric utility informed command that the structure had service for the past 10 years and due to the amount of damage", the fire will be ruled "undetermined"

Responding to this call per NCCC CAD

ENGINE 2, 3, Atlas 21, Shamokin 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 41, 71, 111, 221, 353
TRUCK 32
RESCUE 5, 62
UTILITY 223
TANKER 743, 176, 22, 296, 722, 295, 313
FIRE POLICE 6, 80, 180, 240
SQUAD 5
UTILITY 21
MICU 93
AMBULANCE 927
UNIT 112

From Columbia County
ENGINE 331
TANKER 353, 274, 332

Schuylkill County
TRUCK 38-25, 43-20
ENGINE 369
Tanker 4-30, 4-32, 46-30, 30-35

Rehab from Snyder County

Transfer assignments
in Shamokin
TRUCK 542
ENGINE 11, 51, 572, 721
SQUAD 21

In Kulpmont
Schuylkill County ENGINE 45-10

in Mount Carmel
Schuylkill County TRUCK 745

Thank you goes out to Turkey Hill Mini-Markets, 5th and Market Street, Mount Carmel for the Water, Coffee, Et.