Three men are displaced following a fast-moving fire that razed a mobile home in Walker Township yesterday evening (Tuesday, June 9, 2015). Emergency personnel were called around 7:40 PM to the area of 975-977 Catawissa Road for a fully engulfed mobile home.
Rising smoke could be seen for miles as firefighters and other emergency personnel responded to the blaze.
Despite a quick response from firefighters, the mobile home (located at 975 Catawissa Road), all its belongings and an adjacent vehicle were destroyed. In addition, a nearby home (977 Catawissa Road), an overhanging tree and a parked vehicle suffered damaged from smoke, heat or fire.
Chad Felty, Assistant Fire Chief, New England/Walker Township Fire Company, stated the cause of the fire is still under investigation but currently appears to be electrical in nature and possibly involved the air conditioning unit.

Paul Matsago, Lieutenant, Tuscarora Fire Company, said the fire was almost fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. “Our first priority was to make sure no one was inside.”
Two of the displaced men were seen only wearing boxer shorts. Neighbors and Good Samaritans provided pants and shirts to two both men.
Responding were New England/Walker Township Fire Company, Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Tuscarora Fire Company, Tamaqua’s South Ward Fire Company, Tamaqua’s American Hose Company, Tamaqua’s ladder truck, Rapid Intervention Team from Pottsville, New Ringgold Fire Company, Tamaqua Ambulance, Tamaqua Salvation Army and others.
Firefighters remained on scene until after 11 PM extinguishing hot spots.
Felty added his appreciation to numerous people and organizations who helped during the fire, to include all the responding emergency personnel, neighbors, Good Samaritans, Tamaqua Salvation Army, Stephen’s Landscaping, Heisler Farm, Leiby’s Farm Market and others.

The Tamaqua Volunteers group is asking the public for online monetary donations to help the fire victims, who are currently staying with neighbors. They lost everything, to include hygiene products, clothing, beds, bedding, furniture, appliances, and so on. The group added that monetary donations are recommended since the victims have no place to store physical donations.
For more information on how to help, call 570-668-1234 anytime or click the icon below to donate any amount online via PayPal.
If you donate – your name and amount will be listed with this story. Last day to donate is Friday, June 19, 2015.
Thank you Lori Remmel for your $10 online donation.
Thank you Alice Hahn for your $10 online donation.
No one else has donated online.

TamaquaArea.com Video: (Combined clips – not in order)

Click HERE to view a Facebook video from Kayla Hartz of the rising smoke.

TamaquaArea.com Photos:

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