Harford Firefighters Help Rescue 2 Unconscious PA Fire Victims From Blaze

PYLESVILLE, MD — Crews from a fire department in Harford County were called to assist at a fire early Sunday morning there two people were found unconscious in a burning building in Stewartstown Borough, Pennsylanvania. A firefighter was injured battling the blaze.

Several fire departments provided mutual aid to the Eureka Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Company, including the Norrisville Volunteer Fire Company out of Pylesville in Harford County.

Stewartstown Fire Chief Todd Gibney said in a statement that multiple fire departments were dispatched to 2 North Main St. shortly after 6 a.m. Firefighters found smoke pouring from the second floor, the eaves and the roof.

"The crews forced entry to the building and stretched a hose line to the second floor where they encountered a significant fire. Eureka members simultaneously knocked down the visible fire and initiated search and rescue of occupants, locating two unconscious adults. Those victims were quickly removed to the exterior in cardiac arrest and lifesaving interventions initiated by EMS and firefighters on scene. Both victims were rushed to York Hospital. At least one pet was also located and removed," Gibney stated.

The fire was elevated to a second alarm with multiple additional EMS transport units requested. The building’s construction required crews to open up walls and void spaces to expose hidden fire, as well as cut holes in the roof.

One firefighter fell through a hole in the second floor and was taken to York Hospital for evaluation. He was not a Harford County firefighter. No other injuries were reported, the fire chief said.

Gibney commended all the firefighters for their hard work and who "worked together to quickly locate and remove the victims and bring this fire under control."

"With being in the center of town, there are several older structures in close proximity to the fire building, and this fire could have grown rapidly in size," Gibney said.

Built around 1905, the building at 2 North Main Street originally served as a bank before becoming home to the Stewartstown Library, and finally a private residence. It is a large two-story building with masonry walls with wood joists, flooring and roof, as well as high ceilings and a basement.

The State Police Fire Marshal and Southern Regional Police are investigating the cause of the fire, Gibney added.