Emmaus fire displaces 5 people, dog
A Thursday night house fire in Emmaus displaced five people and a dog.
No residents were hurt in the fire reported at 10:40 p.m. in the 100 block of South Second Street, but a firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation at the hospital, fire officials said.
The fire started and was contained in the basement on one side of the duplex, according to Emmaus fire Chief John Price and West Salisbury Township fire Chief Joshua Wells.
“I was on my couch in my living room when smoke started coming through the wall (from the other side of the duplex where the fire started),” occupant Alex Pobuda said. “I pulled the couch away from the wall and more smoke billowed out.”
Pobuda woke girlfriend Jessica Barberry out of bed and they both got out safely.
“We saw the neighbors on the other side made it out,” Pobuda said. “That’s when a cop came around the corner and saw the smoke.”
The fire was called in and fire trucks from multiple companies began arriving within minutes.
“It was a really great response,” Pobuda said.
The occupants on the other side of the duplex included a couple and their dog. The couple declined to give their names, but said they got out when they noticed the smoke. A woman said her cat was missing.
On scene were Emmaus, West Salisbury Township, East Salisbury Township, Lower Macungie Township, Alburtis, Wescosville, Greenawalds and Woodlawn fire departments, Emmaus and Macungie ambulances and Emmaus police.
The Red Cross was contacted to help the displaced residents. Price, who is also a fire marshal, is investigating to determine how the fire started.