Family escapes fire in Polk Twp. home

Fire crews helped to rescue three children after fire broke out at a home Thursday night in Polk Township.

Township fire Chief Billy Tippett said the Polk Township Fire Department was dispatched at 7:21 p.m. to a fire at a single-family home at 3412 Walnut Road, Pleasant View Lake.

Tippett said firefighters were dispatched to a house fire with a report of entrapment of three children.

Upon arrival, he said firefighters encountered light smoke conditions in the residence.

“We started working with the occupants to get the children out,” Tippett said. “We discovered a small fire in the crawl space.”

Tippett said crews extinguished the fire in the crawl space with a 2½-gallon specialized water can.

He said there was a little bit of ventilation and overhaul, and that it appears as if the fire started in the lint tube of the dryer vent.

Tippett said there were three children and three adults inside the home at the time, but that everyone was able to get out safely with no injuries.

“Very minimal damage to the crawl space,” he said. “Still livable.”

Tippett said fire companies remained on scene for about an hour.

Also assisting at the scene were the West End Fire Company, Kunkletown Fire Company, West End Ambulance, and Lehighton State Police.

Tippett credited all those who responded to the scene for the fast knockdown.

“It was a quick response by all companies,” he said. “They worked well together, and had a positive outcome.”