WILKES-BARRE -- Fire destroyed the inside of an apartment building on Pine Street on Wednesday, displacing 10 residents.
A firefighter sprained his ankle battling the blaze, but no else was harmed.
The fire broke out on the third floor of the five-apartment building, at 37 and 39 Pine St., shortly after 9 a.m. Wilkes-Barre firefighters had it under control by about 10:09 a.m. and they left the scene just after noon.
Dawn Kuren of Penn Street, who lives behind the building, was getting ready to make a trip to the dentist when she saw smoke coming from the top of it.
She and another neighbor went to the building to get everyone out and call 911. She said three tenants and a dog made it out safely. All others werent home.
Assistant Fire Chief Thomas Makar said the third floor suffered heavy fire damage and the bottom two floors were damaged by water.
He said 13 firefighters were on scene. Private Brian Drevitch was taken to the hospital for a severely sprained ankle, Makar said.
Makar said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The owner of the building, Richard Tattersall, said the residents have been put up in a hotel by the Red Cross. The 76-year-old landlord, who rents out about 20 buildings, said hes searching for a new home for the residents.
I could buy one for them today, he said.
Tattersall, who became a landlord in 1942, said hes not sure if he has insurance on the building. He said hes not one for insurance because its expensive and he rarely needs it. He said its been years and years since the last time one of his properties ignited.
Tattersall, who lives on Spring Street, just around the corner from the apartment building, said there is at least $30,000 worth of damage.
The displaced residents of the building are: Tom Cook, Joyce Brown, Tim Santersero, Paula Coleman, Ed and Barb Craig, Joe Roberts, Bob Esser, Sam Ricci and Shirley Phillips.
Distributed by the Associated Press
