NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
4-ALARM BLAZE ON RADNOR STREET CAUSED BY ELECTRIC PANEL SHORT AT 627 RADNOR STREETHarrisburg, PA – Mayor Stephen R. Reed this morning reported that a major four- alarm blaze that damaged seven homes in the 600 block of Radnor Street last night was caused by an electrical short in a basement panel box at 627 Radnor Street, and not as a result of an earlier fire at 623 Radnor Street. The fire, one of the largest to strike the city in years, brought nearly 20 fire companies and 100 firefighters to the Uptown Harrisburg location. Reed said the blaze began in the electrical panel box in the basement of 627 Radnor Street, which sustained the heaviest damage. The blaze quickly spread to adjoining structures, resulting in heavy fire, smoke and water damage to 623, 625, 629 and 631 Radnor Street. All of the units were occupied and approximately 20 residents are now temporarily dislocated. Smoke and water damage also affected two nearby vacant and abandoned properties at 621 and 619 Radnor Street. The Mayor said the fire’s fast spread and intensity were attributable to the materials used in the interior construction of the properties, all of which sustained similar damage in a year 2000 blaze and were subsequently restored. Paneling and other wood materials used in the previous rehab effort fueled the fire, which burned for nearly 2 ½ hours before being fully extinguished. A common loft area between all five homes allowed the fire to spread quickly from unit to unit. The entire block had also been destroyed in a 1968 blaze, after which all of the units were rebuilt. Reed said one occupant complained of shortness of breath and was treated at the scene. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries but did not require hospital- zation. Firefighters were at one point pulled outside of the burning structures after flames threatened their safe exit. The Mayor said the fire was not the result of an earlier kitchen grease fire at 623 Radnor Street, which responding fire units had quickly and thoroughly -- more -- Page Two – RADNOR STREET FIRE extinguished, and cleared the scene less than 90 minutes earlier. Many residents and neighbors of the affected properties speculated that last night’s blaze was due to that earlier fire, but State Police and Dauphin County Fire Marshals have investigated and ruled otherwise. Reed said residents of the area, believing that firefighters had not extinguished the earlier blaze and were thus responsible for this second fire, were very hostile and verbally assaulted the first arriving units, hurling racial and other epithets at the firefighters. “That speculation was wrong,” said the Mayor, “and we are disappointed in the behavior and conduct of some residents towards the first arriving firefighters.” Police made no arrests but several warnings were issued to persons who were attempting to incite the crowd. “This is a most unfortunate incident,” said Reed, “and we are very relieved that no one was seriously injured. Firefighters risk their own lives to save the lives and properties of others. ” The Mayor said some of the dislocated residents are being temporarily housed by the Red Cross and the rest found shelter on their own. Although the properties sustained heavy fire damage, all should be able to be restored and reoccupied in the future. Fire officials estimate property damage from the blaze at approximately $200,000. In addition to all city firefighters, the 4-alarm blaze drew to the scene mutual aid fire companies from Penbrook, Paxtonia, the federal fire department at DDRE, Lower Allen, Susquehanna Twp., Paxtang, Steelton, New Cumberland, Swatara, West Shore and Progress. Linglestown, Middletown, New Cumberland, Swatara and Progress Fire companies occupied the city’s fire stations while the resident city companies fought the blaze. The Salvation Army also responded with warm beverages and food for the residents and firefighters, and the Teamsters Hall at 7th and Radnor Streets opened as a temporary shelter for the dislocated residents. |
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