On July 18 just after 12:30a.m. Ladder 1 was dispatched, along with several other companies, to the 100 block of Orchard View Dr. near the Amity/Earl township line for a reported structure fire with entrapment. Police on location confirmed the initial dispatch with 3 people reported trapped and the building fully involved. On arrival of the initial units several handlines were pulled while master streams were being set up from Ladder 1, Quint 6(Monocacy) and Ladder 95(Boyertown). Firefighters were unable to make entry due to the intensity of the fire and the fact that the roof and floors had already collapsed into the basement on the main part of the house. A second alarm was struck which sent E1 to the scene with other units from as far away as Fleetwood. Most of the fire was knocked down within 30 minutes but overhaul continued for several hours with multiple handlines. Units began clearing the scene shortly before 6a.m. One person was transported to the hospital with serious injuries but, unfortunately, 2 other residents perished. The cause of this fire is unknown and remains under investigation by the Amity Township and PA State Police Fire Marshalls.
