Pocono News Section

Cause Found In Shamokin Fire

Cause Found In Shamokin Fire - Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 4:03PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 @04:03pm EST
((SHAMOKIN, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY) - Betty Carreras and her grown daughter returned to their home at 15 North Shamokin Street in Shamokin Sunday morning, less than 24 hours after fire ripped through the row home next door. Their house received some smoke and water damage. Joanne Gilger lives across the street. Gilger told WBRE News, "Very scary. There's a woman (Carreras) and her daughter presently living there. They have other members but one boy is in the Army." Dozens of firefighters responded to the burning home next door before seven p.m. Saturday night. The flames were put out 90 minutes later. Shamokin Fire Chief Bill Milbrand, "When I got here, the flames traveled up the wall and across the ceiling." Crews now say the fire started on the first floor, in a faulty coal heater. JoAnne Gilger added, "Oh wow, there had to be 30 Firefighters here all volunteer. They did a superb job, they worked very hard and it was really cold out here." Police were first on the scene and had to talk down one of the residents trapped on the third floor. Neighbors say the crews were wonderful. Gilger said, "I was helping some people affected and I wanted to go in and make coffee and I kind of didn't have the time." The American Red Cross supplied the three men living inside the burning home with client assistance cards to get food, clothing and bedding. For now, they're staying with relatives. Betty Carreras was given a clean up kit for her place. Typically - the American Red Cross provides lodging for three nights, when those displaced by fire don't have friends or relatives to stay with. Another building on the other side of the burning home, "Alfred Landi Upholstery" also received minor damages.