On Wednesday, July 15, at 9:26 a.m. the Bradford, Pa. City Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire with possible entrapment.
Tower 1, Engine 1 and Ambulance 1 responded with five firefighters under the command of Fire Chief James "Boo" Coder.
He confirmed a working fire and stated that all occupants were out of the two-story wooden frame dwelling. The three teenagers were transported to Bradford Regional Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation.
The crew of Tower 1 laid a 125 foot, five-inch hydrant supply line to the front of the structure.
Heavy gray and black smoke was rolling from the front of the house with fire venting from the rear and side.
Firefighters advanced an attack line from Tower 1 through the front door and began suppression efforts on the first floor. Another line was placed into operation between the two houses to protect the exposure.
Coder requested a second alarm bringing 12 off-duty city firefighters to the scene with Engine 2 and two additional ambulances. Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department responded to Central Fire Station with Engine 151, a 1,500-gpm Rescue Engine and crew for stand-by.
Two additional attack lines were stretched, one to the second floor and one to the rear of the house. Firefighters were on the scene for nearly two hours.
The home suffered heavy fire, heat, smoke and water damage. The exposure located four feet away suffered minor damage.
A Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
