December 12, 2006, 21:50 Freeport Boro Armstrong County, PA. Freeport Station 70 was dispatched for a structure fire on 5th street. Responding firefighter’s on the way to the station noted heavy smoke from the 2nd floor of the large 3 floor brick apartment complex. Engine 70-1 on scene had heavy smoke and fire coming from the rear of the structure. Companies on scene were Freeport VFD/EMS, South Buffalo, Sarver Fire-Rescue, Kittanning #6, Pioneer Hose, Hilltop Hose, Highland Hose, Harrison Hills, Saxonburg VFD/EMS, Buffalo VFD, Allegheny Township, Freeport PD, Eureka Fire-Rescue, East Franklin, West Kittanning, Lower Kiski EMS ( I apologize if I missed anyone on scene) and numerous crews on standby. The fire was fought with initial entry attach crews then due to unsafe fire conditions a mandatory building evacuation was alerted by the sounding of all the apparatus' air horns. 4 ladder trucks were set up around the building and deluged the building with water for an exterior attach until the fire was back under control. Crews were sent back in to douse hot spots and set down a blanket of foam. The final interior crews on scene from Freeport laid a blanket of foam down to make sure there wasn’t a rekindle (see Freeport’s foam crew picture L to R FF Dan Kline, FF/EMT Chris “Jell-o” Negley, FF/EMT Steve Joos.) The 2 connecting building were a total loss. The Fire marshal was on scene at 3AM and was coming back to further the investigation later that day.

Story by: Chris “Jell-o” Negley
Pictures by: Chris “Jell-o” Negley and Ashlee Snyder