3/16/09 - Harrisburg - Hetrick Street

Shortly after midnight Box 1-4 broke the night silence for a reported structure fire at 527 Hetrick Street. Squad 8, Wagon 4, Towers 1,3, and Chief 7 (Horst) turned out on the box alarm. Enroute companies were notified of multiple calls being received. Chief 7 on location with heavy fire first floor of a 2 story, occupied, duplex quickly followed by a request for the box to be struck. Due to the tight street and location only the Squad and Tower 1 were able to make it down Hetrick Street. Hand lines were quickly stretched to the fire building and exposures. Primary searches also were being performed with conflicting reports of whether all occupants had escaped safely. Companies were able to get a good hit on the bulk of the fire despite the ballon frame construction allowing the fire to travel throughout quickly. About 10 minutes into fire an unconcious victim was located by crews and quickly removed to awaiting EMS crews. Extensive overhaul was required to fully extinguish the fire that heavily damaged both 525 (fire building) and 527 (exposure) Hetrick Street. One firefighter suffered burns during overhaul and Red Cross assisted with displacement of 4 occupants. Box alarm: Sq 8, W4, T1,3, Ch 7; 1st alarm: W3, T2, R69, Ch 2 (Soulier).