Box 88-3 toned out at 2317 hours for a reported working house fire at 224 State Street in the Borough of Middletown. The initial box sent Company 88 (Middletown), Engines 59 (Lower Swatara), 71 (HIA), and 74-1 (Elizabethtown). Chief 88-1 (Fink) went enroute and advised of multiple calls being received prompting the first alarm assignment to be struck. Engines 54 (Londonderry), 55 (Highspire), Truck 50 (Steelton), and Air 91-2 (Bressler) were added to the box. Chief 88-1 arrived with a well involved 2.5 story, wood frame, single-family, dwelling. Engine 88 arrived with 5 and laid in from a hydrant at State and Wood Streets to sides A/D of the structure. 2 attack lines were stretched and advanced into the first floor which was heavily involved. The fire rapidly spread to the second floor, and with the interior stair being burned away, companies were forced to evacuate the structure at 2337 hours. Deck gun operations from Engine 88 and handlines darkened down the fire so companies could resume interior operations. All access to the second floor came via outside ground ladders. The fire was placed under control at 0055 hours with extensive overhaul required to mop up hot spots. All occupants were able to safely evacuate and 3 adults were displaced in the fire which heavily damaged the dwelling.