MOUNT CARMEL, PA — A fire that destroyed two homes Friday night in the 300 block of South Beech Street and caused the deaths of three dogs was electrical in nature, according to Mount Carmel First Assistant Fire Chief Jack Williams Jr.
The fire official, who inspected the homes, said the blaze started in a rear kitchen wall between 326 and 324 S. Beech St. He said the fire may have been caused by a malfunctioning refrigerator, but was definitely electrical.
David Slotterback, 43, of 326 S. Beech St., and his wife, Elizabeth, of 324 S. Beech St., were left homeless in the 8:35 p.m. blaze. Slotterback lost his three boxers after the blaze. Two neighboring homes sustained heat, smoke and water damage.
Slotterback, who also lost his borough home in a fire nine years ago, is a fireman with Anthracite Fire Company.
Williams commended all the firefighters, police and other personnel who assisted. He especially praised mutual aid units from Atlas, Kulpmont and Shamokin, and standby fire personnel from Ashland and Coal Township. The fire chief thanked members of Clover Hose Ladies Auxiliary who provided cold drinks to firefighters to keep them hydrated during the warm evening.
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Mount Carmel, PA Two-Alarm Fire
Firefighters battle a fire on South Beech Street
Published Monday, August 22, 2016
mcfdtv - 324-326 South Beech Street
Mount Carmel, PA 17851
Two-Fire leaves 2 homeless and 3 pets dead in a duplex fire in Mount Carmel, PA
20:30 NCCC (Northumberland County Communications Center) was contacted by the Mount Carmel Police Department to notify and confirm a working structure fire located in a duplex at 324 South Beech Street, Mount Carmel Borough. Fire companies ease dropping on the police band quickly self-dispatched and arrive on scene as NCCC dispatch started dropping tones for this fire.
David and Elizabeth Slotterback, 43, of 326 was left homeless for a second time in less than 9 years. The last incident happened on a cold night 9 years ago when a row of homes burned in the 100 block of South Spruce Str., Mount Carmel.
MCPD patrolman Kevin Malukas and a neighbor entered the property in an attempt to rescue the residents and dogs prior to the fire departments arrival. They managed to remove the 3 dogs and CPR was preformed to no avail and they went to Doggie Heaven. The Slotterbacks were not at home when the fire started. When Mr. Slatterback a firefighter with a local department arrived on scene he quickly dressed only to find that it was his home that he was responding to. While he does not know how the fire started it is believed to have started near the rear of the 1 division of the structure in the kitchen area.
The fire went to second alarm status with 3r alarm on standby and transfers were made to cover the companies in service. The fire was brought under control in about 90 minute with the remaining fire apparatus being released from the scene around 01:45 hrs. after overhaul and the investigation was complete.
The Slotterbacks thanked the Police for attempting to save his pets along with his fellow firefighters and neighbors for assistance “The cops tried their best to get the dogs out, but they were already lifeless”
Assistant Fire Chief Jack Williams Jr. confirmed that this fire was electrical in nature and started in the party wall behind the refrigerator. The Red Cross has been in contact with the residents. Mount Carmel Fire Police assisted with traffic control as people flocked to the area to watch and film as this incident unfolded. The crowd was orderly as they fetched refreshments for those working the fire after reaching into their own pockets to purchase the snacks and drink.
2 MCPD and a Firefighter were overcome by smoke and heat and required treatment at the scene.