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Fire destroys home
Published: November 21, 2009
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Larry Deklinski/Staff Photo Firefighters work to extinguish a fire on Upper Road in East Cameron Township Friday.
Larry Deklinski/Staff Photo Firefighters work to extinguish a fire on Upper Road in East Cameron Township Friday.
GOWEN CITY - Lamar and Fietta Schlemmer were watching television at about noon Friday when they saw smoke pouring from their basement door.
They quickly scooped up their dog and got out uninjured, but their East Cameron Township home at 5454 Upper Road would soon be destroyed by flames.
Some 100 firefighters from three counties were at the scene by 1 p.m. and worked for several more hours to put out the four-alarm blaze. They relied on tanker trucks and portable "ponds" for water because of a lack of hydrants along the rural stretch of highway.
Mr. Schlemmer, 80, stood watching as firefighters arrived to extinguish the blaze, which had engulfed the wooden structure. He said this is the third home he lived in to be destroyed by fire.
They had lived in the home, located about two miles east of Route 125, for about nine years. It is insured, said the Schlemmers, whose closest relative, a son, lives in New York.
An official with the Schuylkill-North chapter of the American Red Cross said he would be contacting the family to provide assistant Friday evening.
The fire most likely originated in the basement, said East Cameron Fire Chief Jim Reed. He said an investigation into the exact cause of the fire would continue.
Firefighters arrive
First on the scene were Shamokin firefighters. When they arrived, smoke was pouring from the home but flames were contained to the interior.
A live electrical wire was only inches from the flames and at one point a transformer shot sparks into the air.
After kicking in the door and smashing some first-floor windows, flames began to shoot from the door and windows and engulf the entire two-story structure.
If the fire is contained and isn't allowed to breathe, it will eventually suck up all the oxygen inside the home and create a backdraft, a firefighter explained. For this reason, firefighters create openings for the fire to "escape."
'Chimney effect'
Since the home had a balloon frame, like many older homes, the flames traveled from the basement up the walls and into the attic, Reed said. Firefighters had to break windows on the second floor to provide further ventilation.
Most newer homes have "fire stoppers" between floors.
"With no fire stops, the fire just goes right up, a chimney effect," Reed said.
Reed said that while the lack of hydrants can add complications to the firefighting effort, the mutual aid was "outstanding."
Water was pumped into the portable ponds from tanker trucks throughout the area. The trucks were refilling some five miles away at Wheary's Dam, he said.
One firefighter was taken to a hospital for treatment of a broken finger.
Responding were firefighters from Butler Township, East Cameron, Elysburg, Ralpho Township, Overlook, Coal Township, Maine Fire Company, Fountain Springs, Shamokin, Mahantango, Lavelle, Kulpmont, Trevorton, Pillow and Stonington.
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