News

Sherman hills blaze

October 7, 2008

Fire blamed on smoking

About 100 residents forced from high-rise

By Edward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – Careless smoking is being blamed for the fire that displaced nearly 100 tenants from an eight-story high-rise at the Sherman Hills apartment complex early Sunday morning.

Bridget Guinta, Wilkes-Barre city administrative coordinator, said an investigation by assistant fire chief/fire inspector William Sharksnas determined a cigarette ignited a mattress in a fourth-floor apartment.

The four-alarm fire forced nearly 100 tenants, most elderly or physically disabled, from their Parkview Circle apartments shortly before 2 a.m.

Many sought assistance from the Wyoming Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, which established an emergency shelter at GAR High School.

Amy Gabriel, director for emergency services for the local chapter, said the Red Cross assisted 65 tenants and provided shelter for 25 tenants Sunday night into Monday morning.

Through coordination with other agencies, Gabriel said, the Red Cross placed many tenants in transitional housing, including other apartments at Sherman Hills.

Gabriel said the shelter at the high school ceased operating Monday morning.

A few Red Cross volunteers remained at the high-rise on Monday assisting tenants, some carrying their belongings in garbage bags.

Seventeen city firefighters responded to the high-rise for the fire that was quickly contained within an hour.

Firefighters and paramedics from Ashley, Hanover Township, Kingston and Plains Township assisted tenants during the evacuation.

One tenant was taken to an area hospital for unspecified injuries.

City Code Enforcement Officer Frank Kratz inspected the building on Monday. He couldn’t be reached for comment.

The building remains closed as construction crews and electricians make repairs.

Sherman Hills Community Manager Bruce Wallace didn’t immediately return a message asking for comment on Monday.

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