Scanner: Fire Rips Through Emmaus Duplex

A two-alarm fire tore through a twin home in the eastern section of Emmaus early Monday, sickening at least one and badly damaging the two joined dwellings, according to emergency scanner transmissions.

Fire was reported about 12:40 a.m. on the rear porch at 502 E. Main St., according to the transmissions. A second caller, from the Dalton Street side, quickly reported a fire to the rear as well.

An Emmaus ambulance was summoned to tend to at least one smoke inhalation victim, according to another transmission, even before the second alarm was struck.

The first arriving Emmaus firefighters requested a second alarm, bringing a tanker from Vera Cruz, a pumper from Western Salisbury and a Rapid Intervention Team from Alburtis, the latter to stand by in case of a structural collapse. A nearby hydrant was used.

A transmission noted that both homes were fully engulfed (click here to see video).

Despite hydrant availability, Emmaus Fire Chief James Reiss called for three additional tankers -- from Lower Milford, Macungie and Old Zionsville -- to truck additional water to the scene, transmissions said. The Lehigh County cascade unit was requested from Woodlawn Fire Department to refill tanks for breathing apparatus.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley was requested to provide services for two families. One was an older couple, according to transmissions. The other was a man, woman and juvenile. This latter group had been taken to an area hospital by Emmaus Ambulance Corps with at least one smoke inhalation victim.

Firefighters continued to battle the flames into the early hours. There were no transmissions indicating the cause.

Macungie Ambulance Corps also assisted at the scene with one ambulance and a specialty unit to monitor firefighters vital signs and provide other services.