Photos/Story by
ROBERT L. WHEELAND

Firefighters from South Whitehall Twp, Lehigh County, PA were dispatched to a reported "working structure fire" at a popular local restaurant at 0305 Saturday July 13, 2002.

The first arriving units at the Parkland Restaurant found heavy fire at the rear of the building and heavy smoke pushing through the eves to the front.

An interior attack with one 2 1/2" line and a 1 3/4" back-up, was begun while Aerialscope 331 prepared for ventilation.

The heavy fire conditions forced the evacuation of the interior crew until 331 along with Aerial 831 from Fogelsville where positioned to enhance ventilation through the double roof.

Once effective ventilation was achieved, the interior attack was renewed and the fire was brought under control in about 1 hour.

To avoid enhancing fire spread, crews to the rear of the structure used low flow hand lines to prevent rearward spread of the fire while not "pushing" fire into the interior.

In addition to Woodlawn, Cetronia, and Greenawlads Fire Departments of South Whitehall Twp., Whitehall Twp., Fogelsville, Schnecksville, Tri-Clover Fire departments and Trexlertown all assisted with manpower at the scene.

Good Will of North Penn, Colmar, PA sent their canteen units to provide refreshments and drinks.