According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville, the fire broke out around 6:51 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, at a home located at 44 East Howard Avenue. The Coaldale Fire Department was initially dispatched for a reported structure fire, but the call was quickly upgraded to a report of entrapment as crews rushed to the scene.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered flames coming from the rear of the residence. Crews made entry through the front of the home and were able to rescue a 13-year-old male from the first floor. He was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest for further treatment.
A 37-year-old man from the home was also taken to St. Luke’s Hospital in Coaldale for treatment of smoke inhalation.
A total of five occupants, including a 31-year-old woman and three children ages 13, 7, and 1, were involved in the incident.
The Coaldale Fire Department requested the assistance of a Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal to investigate the cause. The origin of the fire was traced to the rear porch of the home. Investigators determined the cause to be accidental, linked to an unattended Citronella candle placed near a rear wall.