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Rock Street fire ruled suspicious
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| Firefighters are on the roof of the building on Rock Street battling this morning's fire. |
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SHAMOKIN — Today's early-morning fire that gutted two vacant properties, caused damage to an adjacent house and left two people temporarily homeless has been ruled suspicious.
The two-alarm blaze broke out shortly before 4:30 a.m. at 421-423 N. Rock St., which was fully engulfed when police and firefighters arrived.
Police were able to awaken William Karpinski, 63, and Donald “Pap” Hughes, 79, who reside on the first and second floors, respectively, at 425 N. Rock St., and assist them in safely exiting the building. Mary Hauer, 92, of 417 N. Rock St., whose home was not damaged by the fire, also escaped possible injury thanks to the efforts of police.
Shamokin Fire Chief William Milbrand said the cause of the fire is undetermined, but he said the blaze started under a porch on the sidewalk in front of 421-423 N. Rock St. and quickly spread to the structure.
The fire chief said Good Faith Ministries, which operated in Shamokin at one time, is listed as the owner of the property at 421-423 N. Rock St. He did not know if the building, which reportedly has been vacant for several years, is insured because he had not yet contacted anyone affiliated with Good Faith Ministries.
The two-alarm blaze broke out shortly before 4:30 a.m. at 421-423 N. Rock St., which was fully engulfed when police and firefighters arrived.
Police were able to awaken William Karpinski, 63, and Donald “Pap” Hughes, 79, who reside on the first and second floors, respectively, at 425 N. Rock St., and assist them in safely exiting the building. Mary Hauer, 92, of 417 N. Rock St., whose home was not damaged by the fire, also escaped possible injury thanks to the efforts of police.
Shamokin Fire Chief William Milbrand said the cause of the fire is undetermined, but he said the blaze started under a porch on the sidewalk in front of 421-423 N. Rock St. and quickly spread to the structure.
The fire chief said Good Faith Ministries, which operated in Shamokin at one time, is listed as the owner of the property at 421-423 N. Rock St. He did not know if the building, which reportedly has been vacant for several years, is insured because he had not yet contacted anyone affiliated with Good Faith Ministries.
