Fire breaks out in Williamsport’s historical district
A tenant was being treated at UPMC Williamsport for smoke inhalation after a fire erupted in his kitchen at the rear of this four-unit three-story apartment building, 420 W. Fourth St., in the Williamsport’s Historical District, about 12:45 p.m. Saturday, according to Platoon Chief Sherman Heaster.
The tenant, whose name was not released, was already out of the building when firefighters arrived, he added. Smoke was pouring from the back of the building when the first firefighters pulled up on the scene.
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- A firefighter works at the scene on Saturday. PHIL HOLMES/Sun-Gazette
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- After a fire was extguished at 420 W. Fourth St. on Saturday afternoon, city firefighters begin to pick up hoses used to put out the fire. PHIL HOLMES/Sun-Gazette
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- West Fourth Street from Locust to Walnut streets was closed to traffic as firefighters worked to put out a kitchen fire at 420 W. Fourth St. on Saturday afternoon. PHIL HOLMES/Sun-Gazette
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- Emergency vehicles line West Fourth Street during a kitchen fire that to about 15 minutes to extinguish. PHIL HOLMES/Sun-Gazette
A second alarm was ordered, bringing additional manpower and equipment from Old Lycoming Township, South Williamsport and Montoursville plus additional off-duty city personnel. Heaster said the fire was under control in 15 minutes.
The fire itself was contained to the kitchen, but there was smoke throughout the building, he added.
Six people were displaced by the fire because the electricity has been cut off to the entire building, Heaster said, adding that once power is restored, all tenants should be back in the units except the man who lives in the apartment where the fire occurred. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.