MOUNT CARMEL - A bottle rocket set off in celebration of the Fourth of July started a fire late Monday night in the 400 block of East Third Street that destroyed the second and third floors of a vacant home, while causing damage to an adjoining unoccupied structure.
The fire has been labeled accidental, but a criminal investigation has been launched regarding the incident.
Mount Carmel Fire Chief Jack Williams Jr. said the blaze, which was reported at 11:55 p.m., caused between $80,000 and $100,000 damage to 431-433 E. Third St., which are located between Plum and Locust streets.
Williams said a bottle rocket flew through a screen door on the second floor of 433 E. Third St., causing a fire that heavily damaged the top two floors of the property. It caused minor fire damage to the third floor at 431 E. Third St.
The structure at 433 E. Third St. also sustained heat, water and smoke damage on the first floor, while the neighboring property sustained minor smoke and water damage on the second and first floors.
Williams said both properties are vacant. The house at 431 E. Third St. was undergoing renovations, the fire chief said.
Williams was still attempting to determine the owners of the properties Tuesday afternoon.
According to neighbors, the fire had a "good start and was blazing" when they spotted it.
3 firefighters injured
Williams said three firefighters were injured battling the blaze. He said one of the volunteers suffered a leg injury, while another one suffered minor burns. The third experienced heart-related problems. He said all three firefighters were treated at local hospitals before being released.
Williams said additional fire personnel suffered heat exhaustion and dehydration as a result of battling the blaze.
Accidental, but ...
The fire chief ruled the blaze accidental, but noted Mount Carmel Cpl. Chris Buhay is conducting an investigation into who discharged the bottle rocket that caused the fire.
A group of people were setting off fireworks in the area when the blaze started, Williams said.
"It's illegal to set off fireworks in the borough and it's a shame a bottle rocket caused all this damage," Williams said. "People need to be more cautious with fireworks."
Williams was assisted in directing firefighting efforts at the scene by assistant borough fire chiefs James Reed and Daniel Cimino. Responding to the emergency call were all borough fire units and fire personnel from Atlas, Kulpmont and Shamokin. Also summoned were ambulance personnel from Kulpmont and AREA Services, and Shamokin Emergency Squad. Williams said firefighters from Coal Township and Ashland were placed on standby.
Williams praised the efforts of all personnel who responded to the blaze, which was brought under control in about an hour.
Fire personnel remained at the scene until 3:38 a.m. Tuesday.