08/26/2026
Today, Hazleton City Firefighters were at Station 5 in the 14th Ward for a platoon report when a citizen entered the station and reported that her neighbor’s fire alarm had been sounding continuously for approximately one hour. The Northside crew, consisting of one firefighter, contacted the OIC, who was also a single firefighter acting as Chief, and was subsequently dispatched to the residential fire alarm in the first block of Arthur Street. Upon arrival, E5, staffed by one firefighter, conducted the initial size-up and reported: “Three-story, multi-family dwelling; nothing showing from the exterior.” The OIC then arrived on scene and assumed command. P4 arrived with three firefighters, two of whom were probationary firefighters in training. TWR 1 also arrived with three firefighters, two of whom were probationary firefighters in training. Upon entry, crews discovered an apartment that was smoke-filled with a stove left operating unattended. Crews immediately removed the pots and pans from the stove and ventilated the apartment, clearing the smoke from the residence. After the apartment was ventilated and the situation was determined to be under control, the building was turned over to the owner. This incident highlights the importance of timely notification, adequate staffing, and properly trained personnel responding to fire alarm activations, as a seemingly routine alarm can quickly reveal a potentially dangerous situation.
