April 1, 2024
For immediate release
On Friday March 29, 2024 at 03:18am, the Mountville Fire Company along with Mutual Aid from Rohrerstown Fire Company, Columbia Borough Fire Department, West Hempfield Fire and Rescue, Hempfield Fire Department, Blue Rock Fire & Rescue, Wrightsville Fire Company (York County), Manheim Township Fire & Rescue, Fire Department Mount Joy, Lancaster Township Fire Department along with EMS and Law Enforcement, were dispatched to the 100 Block of Froelich Ave in Mountville Borough. Additional information received was of a working fire, with possible entrapment. Deputy 7, while enroute to the station, notified LCWC of visible fire and to dispatch the working fire assignment. Chief 7 and Assistant 7 had command of the incident. Crews worked for approximately an hour and 40 minutes to get the fire under control. The fire had spread from the initial residence to the adjoining residence causing fire damage to both residential properties.
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During the incident, units operating inside the fire building advised that there was a victim on the second floor and were bringing the male victim out the side door. EMS units on the scene met the firefighters at the door and loaded the victim onto their litter and transported the male to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.
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Once the fire was marked control, with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal and the West Hempfield Township Police Department, the investigation into the cause and manor of the fire was conducted, and the findings of the investigation by the PSP Fire Marshal ruled the fire to be accidental in nature and traced back to careless smoking.
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The Mountville Fire Company sends our condolences to the effected residents and the family of the deceased. We also remind residents that it is important to have working smoke detectors for early and advanced notification. The Mountville Fire Company does provide smoke detectors to residents of our primary coverage area. If you are interested in smoke detectors, and assistance with installation, we ask that you please reach out to PIO@mountvillefire.com for assistance.
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There is no further information being released, and this investigation is closed. There will be no further information released related to this incident.
Respectfully,
Assistant Chief Bryan P. Duquin, Jr.
