Four transported from Girardville duplex blaze; adjoining home saved
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The scene of Friday's blaze in Girardville.
GIRARDVILLE – Five people were rescued from the roof of their home Friday morning, two of whom were flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital after a duplex fire here.
Firefighters were called to 217 West Main Street around 8:00am for reports of a house fire with entrapment.
A family of five was on the second floor roof of the home when firefighters arrived, as black smoke was seen coming from the home, Girardville Fire Chief Frank Zangari told the Sentinel.
A second alarm was dispatched as firefighters arrived, bringing firefighters from William Penn, Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, Mount Carmel, Englewood and more to the scene to assist Girardville and Ashland.
“When I arrived here on scene, the neighbors helped put up an extension ladder and they brought the five victims down from the rooftop,” Zangari said.
Zangari said two children, ages 11 and 14, were flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest in Lehigh County for smoke inhalation.
Mahanoy City’s Humane Fire Company diverted from the scene to the Girardville Little League field to set up a landing zone for Geisinger LifeFlight 5 and Lehigh Valley MedEvac 7.
Their parents were taken to local hospitals by ground, the father for facial burns, and the mother for evaluation.
Zangari said the fire was contained to 217 West Main, and that the adjoining home at 215 suffered minor water damage.
Ronald and Mary Ferrari live at 215 West Main and feared the worst when the fire broke out.
“I’m in shock, to tell you the truth. I couldn’t believe it,” Mary Ferrari told the Sentinel. “I’m out there and I’m seeing all this smoke and everything. I’m in disbelief.”
“I thought it was the kids next door,” Ronald Ferrari said when firefighters knocked on his door.
The two commended the efforts of the responding firefighters.
“They did a tremendous job saving our house, it was just wonderful,” Mary said.
“They have a hell of a chief,” Ronald added.
Firefighters were clear of the scene by 11:00am with the exception of Zangari and a State Police fire marshal, as the two investigate the cause of the blaze.
Also assisting at the scene was Frackville Ambulance, Area Services EMS, Ryan Township Ambulance, Minersville EMS, Schuylkill EMS, Ashland Fire Police, and Mount Carmel Township Fire Police.
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