Pocono News Section

2 Firefighters Injured in Wilkes-Barre Blaze

2 Firefighters Injured in Wilkes-Barre Blaze - Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 11:03AM EST

Reported by: WBRE News
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 @ 11:03am EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- A Wilkes-Barre fire inspector is trying to determine if an overnight fire that destroyed 2-homes and injured 2-firefighters is accidental or intentional.

Flames shot into the air after a fire broke out around midnight at an unoccupied home at 554 South Franklin Street and spread next door to 556 South Franklin. Sources say the family who lives in the second home also owns Philly's Finest restaurant in the city and were away on vacation. A house sitter was keeping an eye on their house.

People who witnessed the fire were still talking about it first thing this morning. Mike Kelly said, "When I came down, flames were bursting out of the top. My girlfriend lives down the street. We came up here. Half of the block was blocked off with fire engines, flames were shooting out of it and over to the other building."

Neighbor George Pierson said, "I have no idea what it can possibly be. I just hope it's not arson."

Neighbor Maureen Ladamus said, "There's been a lot of fires in this neighborhood lately, it's kind of scary."

There still no word on a cause. Meanwhile, of the 2 Wilkes-Barre firefighters injured, one hurt his shoulder while the other suffered dehydration.