News

March 6, 2010

W-B fire displaces eight people

Blaze gutted a home at 446 N. Washington St. and damaged 2 other houses.

By Edward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – A fire gutted a home and damaged two other houses in the 400 block of North Washington Street Friday morning.

Fire Chief Jay Delaney said firefighters responded to 446 N. Washington St. at about 6:43 a.m. discovering the rear of the home engulfed in flames.

“When fire crews arrived, they had heavy fire in the rear of 446 (N. Washington St.) pushing to 444 (N. Washington St.),” Delaney said. “The crews did a great job at preventing the fire from spreading to 444.”

The two homes and 450 N. Washington St. are in close proximity separated by narrow sidewalks in-between the houses.

According to Capt. Alan Klapat, a city fire inspector, the blaze, caused by a kitchen appliance, swept to a four-alarm fire due to the closeness of other homes.

Seven people of the gutted home and an adult residing in 444 N. Washington St. were displaced. They are being housed by the Wyoming Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross at a local motel.

Delaney said no injuries were reported, but a city firefighter was taken to a hospital for unknown reasons and later released.

Electrical service was shut off in most of the area, including the Daniel Flood Elementary School nearby.

Power lines prevented the use of the city fire department’s aerial ladder truck from being raised and battling the blaze from overhead.

Two hours after flames broke out, firefighters continued to pour water onto 446 N. Washington St. A flood of water poured out the front door and down the steps.

A couple in 444 N. Washington St. were relieved that their pet cat was saved. Delaney helped the couple in removing the cat and its cage from the home.

Delaney said the homes at 444 and 450 N. Washington St. sustained slight fire, water and smoke damage.

“The crews did an aggressive job at stopping the fire from pushing into the neighboring homes,” Delaney said.

According to Luzerne County property records, Juan and Maria Grullon, of Paterson, N.J., own the home at 446 N. Washington St. Regina Han owns 450 N. Washington St., and Joseph and Mary Jo Baloga own 444 N. Washington St.

Edward Lewis, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7196.

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