7 displaced in Tamaqua morning fire
Fire crews from Schuylkill and Carbon counties are on the scene of fire in row homes at 500-502 Railroad Street in Tamaqua.
We have a reporter on scene and we’ll update as more details become available. KATHY KUNKEL/TIMES NEWS
Seven people barely escaped a fast moving, smoky fire this morning in Tamaqua, getting out with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Shortly before 9 a.m., fire crews from Tamaqua and Coaldale responded to 500-502 Railroad St. for a structure fire.
The home at 500 was vacant, but 502 was occupied by seven people: Matt and Donna (Folweiller) Moyer, David Hartranft and Jessica Beil and their three children, including a 3-day-old baby brought home from the hospital on Thursday.
Firefighters were still putting out hot spots as of press time, but the fire was under control in about 20 minutes.
The Tamaqua Salvation Army and American Red Cross were at the scene within minutes, offering drinks to firefighters and help to the victims.
Responding to the scene were firefighters from all four of Tamaqua’s companies, as well as from Coaldale. Also assisting at the scene were personnel from the Tamaqua Rescue Squad and Tamaqua Fire Police.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
