“They (firefighters) saved the whole block,” said Joseph Mazalusky, of 20 South D Street in Mahanoy City, following a fire at his neighbor’s home this morning (Tuesday, January 20, 2015).
Emergency personnel were dispatched just before 3:30 AM for a working structure fire at a row home on the first block of South D Street in Mahanoy City.
They arrived to see flames shooting out the back of 12 South D Street. In addition, heavy smoke could be seen emanating from the top of 12 and 14 South D Street.
Witnesses told TamaquaArea.com that neighbors helped firefighters rescue a man from the roof the home. Currently, the names of the neighbors are unknown. 
Despite a quick response, both properties suffered damage; with the majority of damage to the rear of 12 South D Street, which is occupied by Steven Hutnyan and his girlfriend, Madison Miller.
Tony Blackwell, Admin Assistant, Mahanoy City Fire Department, said firefighters had the fire under control within 30 minutes of responding.
Blackwell added that Hutnyan told firefighters he was asleep at the time of the fire and was woken up by a smoke detector. As he attempted to exit the bedroom, he was met with heavy smoke in the hallway and exited via a second floor bedroom window. Blackwell added that Hutnyan was assisted off the roof by neighbors as fire apparatus arrived.
“We were lucky the whole block didn’t go,” said Mike Mazalusky, who lives around the block from the fire. “The firefighters did one hell of a job stopping the fire.”
“One firefighter was slightly injured but did not require medical attention,” said Blackwell.
Firefighters remained on scene for approximately 2 hours to ensure complete extinguishment.
Fire Chief Randy Kalce commended Hutnyan for having a working smoke alarm – which provided him enough time to safely exit the home.
Responding were firefighters from Mahanoy City, Ryan Township, Shenandoah and surrounding communities. Also responding were Mahanoy City Ambulance, Ryan Township Ambulance, Mahanoy City Police and others.
Blackwell noted that the cause of the fire is unknown and a Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal will be called to investigate the fire.
The adjacent home at 14 South D Street was unoccupied. It has been vacant since a house fire on New Year’s Eve. That fire started via an unattended pot of oil on the stove. Click HERE for more information about the New Year’s Eve fire via the Republican Herald website.
If you know of any fundraisers or other events to help the fire victims, please contact TamaquaArea.com with the details.

UPDATE:  Tony Blackwell, Admin. Asst., Mahanoy City Fire Department, released the following statement pertaining to the cause of the fire:
Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal John Burns was on scene of this morning’s residential structure fire. Burns investigation indicates the origin to be the rear of the home in the kitchen pantry area and to be accidental in nature as a result of an electrical issue.

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