Allentown has Working Fires Close to Each Other

Photo by KEN SNYDERCatasauqua Truck 2 set up in front of the 458 Washington St. second alarm dwelling fire.

Photo by KEN SNYDER Initially, heavy fire was showing from the rear third floor upper roof area.

Photo by KEN SNYDERNeffs E16 debuts as a running backfill company.
Allentown- On 1/8/26 the AFD experienced a third alarm and a second alarm very close to each other. The third alarm fire had heavy smoke and fire showing from inside a large one story commercial warehouse located on the city's east side at 913 E. Highland St. This was fought with numerous handlines. Shortly there after, police reported working dwelling fire at 458 Washington St. on the city's north side, which then went to a second alarm. On arrival, heavy smoke and fire were visible on the top third floor of a M/O/R. Five residents were displaced as the dwelling sustained heavy fire and smoke damage. There was light damage to the adjoining homes. AFD E11 was the only available unit to respond to this call along with mutual aid units from Greenawalds, Fullerton, Catasauqua, Western Salisbury and Emmaus. As that fire was darkening down, another fire call was being dispatched for 451 Tilghman St a block away. That call turned out to be an investigation, a possible furnace malfunction. It was unusual to see that the Neffs E16 debuted as a running backfill company along with other regular mutual aid companies.