Oct. 02--Two women escaped from a burning duplex Monday with help of a neighbor and the Hazleton police chief.
Firefighters stopped the fire from causing more damage to the duplex at 605-607 Cleveland St., Hazleton.
The fire began in a kitchen at 607 Cleveland St. before 12:30 p.m. A state police fire marshal said the cause of the blaze was an unattended cooking accident, Deputy Fire Chief Brian Mandak said.
A neighbor noticed smoke billowing from the house at Cleveland and Fifth streets and called 911, knowing two women lived inside. The neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, helped one woman from the duplex, while city police Chief Frank DeAndrea helped the other. DeAndrea said both women were in the rear of the home and the men helped walk them to safety.
Joan Esposito was taken to Hazleton General Hospital by American Patient Transport Systems where she received treatment for minor injuries, Mandak said. Catherine Esposito, her sister-in-law who also lives in the home, was not injured, Mandak said.
DeAndrea responded to the home after city police were notified of a 911 hang-up call from the residence. He did not know the home was on fire.
Deputy Fire Chief Brian Mandak said firefighters arrived shortly after both women fled the home. At 12:50 p.m., heavy black and gray smoke poured from the rear of the duplex, mostly on the 607 side. Firefighters standing on a porch roof facing Cleveland Street broke second-floor windows to vent smoke and prevent further damage inside.
Firefighters had the flames under control by 1:13 p.m., saving surrounding homes from damage.
Mandak said the 607 side sustained fire damage, while the 605 side sustained heavy smoke damage.
Copyright 2012 - Standard-Speaker, Hazleton, Pa.
