2nd Alarm House Fire in Catasauqua, PA | With report of entrapment

At 02:45, Catasauqua Police officer called in a house fire with people trapped. The officer was assisted by other officers in getting the residents out of the dwelling. At 02:48, Lehigh County Fire Dispatch sent Stations 2, 18 and EMS 75 to 30 2nd Street for the house fire with entrapment. When command arrived on location, reporting a working fire in a 2.5-story dwelling, he transmitted the 2nd alarm. At 02:50, Lehigh County sent Engines 33-11, Whitehall Engine 2 (37-11), Rescue 11-41 for the F.A.S.T. company and Northampton 14-42. Engine 211 arrived first and brought water to the scene from the hydrant at 2nd and Union Streets. Due to live power lines down in the street they stopped short of the dwelling and stretched a hand line to the rear. There was heavy fire showing from the 1st floor porch on side 2 (south) rear of the building. Ladder 231 approached from the wrong way on 2nd Street from Race and had to wait for utility company to cut power to the downed line in order to position better to get to the roof to vent. Members from Whitehall and North Catasauqua stretched a hand line through the front door. All searches were negative. The fire was darkened down in 25 minutes. Extensive overhaul then commenced. The fire extended vertically to the attic. Companies were on the scene well into the morning mopping up and checking for hot spots.