A four-alarm erupted in Meadville during the Arctic Blast weather conditions on Jan. 28.
Meadville firefighters were called to 390 Chestnut Street just before 6 p.m. for a reported multi-family dwelling fire. The initial reports indicated possible entrapment in the apartment building, which dates back to the 1880’s.
Meadville Fire Chief Tunie Hedrick called for additional alarms early into the incident. Companies from West Mead 2, West Mead 1, Saegertown, Vernon Central, East Mead, Meadville Ambulance, Vernon Township VFD, Cochranton VFD assisted.
Firefighters were evacuated early due to the rapid fire advancement and deteriorating conditions during interior operations.
A defensive operation was established with four aerial devices and ground monitors.
Icy conditions along with subzero temperatures hampered the operation.
It took 50 firefighters nearly seven hours to bring the fire under control.
The YMCA opened their doors to help keep responders warms and to the nine families who were displaced by the fire.
