The fire started just before 4:30 in a house at 225 East Madison Street in Lancaster. A man who lives inside the house tells WPMT FOX43 that he awoke to smoke and flames inside the house. He says he was able to get his son out of the first floor but when he went to get to his 37-year-old sister and his 6-year-old niece, the fire was too hot and smoky.
Firefighters were called to the scene. Fire Chief Tim Gregg says the first responding crews go to the scene within five minutes of the call and began an entry. Two of the firefighters that made the first entry into the home to help were then trapped themselves. They had to be rescued. Both of the firefighters were taken to Lancaster General Hospital. One was released after a short treatment. The second firefighter was flown by medical helicopter to Crozer-Chester Medical Center outside of Philadelphia.
“It’s extremely difficult. It has been quite a few years since we had a firefighter injured like this on duty. His family has been notified. They are all going to Crozer where he was transported. They are all in our thoughts and prayers,” said Chief Gregg.
According to the family, fire crews were lowering personnel in through the roof to try and find the two missing people. The building was too unstable to allow people in the normal way. The family also wants to thanks the firefighters who tried to bravely enter the house to save their loved ones.
Police and fire have scheduled an 11 a.m. news conference to discuss the details of the fire. Stick with FOX43.com for more information on this developing story.