7/13/09 - Harrisburg - Royal Terrace

An early morning fire ripped through a duplex and spread to two others leaving 5 families homeless on Royal Terrace. Harrisburg “A” platoon companies were summoned on Box 1-2 at 0045 hours for the reported house fire at 131 Royal Terrace. Chief 7 (Horst) arrived on the scene reported heavy fire through the roof and requested the balance of the box be struck. A 2 story, occupied, duplex at 133 and 131 were heavily involved and severely impinging on 2 additional duplexes at 129 and 135. Royal Terrace is a very narrow street a block long that runs at a slight angle off of State Street. Apparatus positioning in this neighborhood is a nightmare. Tower 1 took side A just past the fire building and immediately prepared to go in service with tower ladder operations. Wagon 4 laid a line at Royal Terrace and State Street taking a position behind Tower 1. Squad 8 picked up Wagon 4’s line and completed the lay to a hydrant at 13th and State Streets. Chief 7 ordered an extra engine and truck to the scene. Engine 30 (Penbrook) and Truck 32 (Progress) handled the assignment and placed themselves in a rear alley. All companies at this time were preparing to go in service with heavy water lines. Establishing a water supply caused a delay in fire attack as there were no nearby hydrants and long supply lays were needed. A second alarm was struck as fire was getting a decent hold of the exposures. Companies were heavily engaged and did a tremendous job of making progress and keeping the fire from extending further. The fire was placed under control around 0210 hours and injured 2 firefighters who were transported to area hospitals. The fire is believed to be the work of an arsonist leaving 21 people without a home.