Pocono News Section

Hazleton Fire Ruled Arson

Hazleton Fire Ruled Arson - Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 5:50PM EST

Reported by: Eyewitness News
Thursday, Jul 2, 2009 @ 05:50pm EST
HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY- Investigators are calling the fire that leaves at least one victim in the hospital a case of arson.

They say someone set the fire around midnight Tuesday night in the second floor hallway outside an apartment.

Firefighters say when they arrived at 120 West Broad Street in the city, folks were screaming that someone was trapped inside. Firefighters rescued that person, who was then flown to a trauma center. We do not know that person's name or condition.

Some others jumped out of windows to safety. Six people in total were treated at a hospital. Fire Chief Don Leshko says it could have been worse. "It’s sad to see something like that happen that could have been, the person we rescued it we didn't get to that person would have perished in that fire. Right now we'd be looking at a homicide scene."

A business is on the first floor of this building and five apartments are on the second. Folks who lived there are staying in local motels or with family. The business is closed.

If you have any information about who may have started this fire police want to hear from you. Call 9-1-1.