Fire leaves 2 homeless and 3 pets perish
324 South Beech Street
Mount Carmel, Pa 17851

20:30 NCCC (Northumberland County Communications Center) was contacted by the Mount Carmel Police Department to notify and confirm a working structure fire located in a duplex at 324 South Beech Street, Mount Carmel Borough. Fire companies ease dropping on the police band quickly self-dispatched and arrive on scene as NCCC dispatch started dropping tones for this fire.
David and Elizabeth Slotterback, 43, of 326 was left homeless for a second time in less than 9 years. The last incident happened on a cold night 9 years ago when a row of homes burned in the 100 block of South Spruce Str., Mount Carmel.
MCPD patrolman Kevin Malukas and a neighbor entered the property in an attempt to rescue the residents and dogs prior to the fire departments arrival. They managed to remove the 3 dogs and CPR was preformed to no avail and they went to Doggie Heaven. The Slotterbacks were not at home when the fire started. When Mr. Slatterback a firefighter with a local department arrived on scene he quickly dressed only to find that it was his home that he was responding to. While he does not know how the fire started it is believed to have started near the rear of the 1 division of the structure in the kitchen area.
The fire went to second alarm status with 3r alarm on standby and transfers were made to cover the companies in service. The fire was brought under control in about 90 minute with the remaining fire apparatus being released from the scene around 01:45 hrs. after overhaul and the investigation was complete.
The Slotterbacks thanked the Police for attempting to save his pets along with his fellow firefighters and neighbors for assistance “The cops tried their best to get the dogs out, but they were already lifeless”

Assistant Fire Chief Jack Williams Jr. confirmed that this fire was electrical in nature and started in the party wall behind the refrigerator. The Red Cross has been in contact with the residents. Mount Carmel Fire Police assisted with traffic control as people flocked to the area to watch and film as this incident unfolded. The crowd was orderly as they fetched refreshments for those working the fire after reaching into their own pockets to purchase the snacks and drink.

2 MCPD and a Firefighter were overcome by smoke and heat and required treatment at the scene.