Tuesday, January 24, 2012 1637 hours
Centre County 911 alerted Fire Box 211 for a report of an apartment on fire at Belle Towers Apartments, 348 East Bishop Street in Bellefonte. Spring Township Police arrived on the scene and confirmed a working fire in apartment #1 in the basement. Police received a report from fleeing occupants that person may be trapped inside. The Box was then upgraded to a 2nd alarm assignment with entrapment at the request of Department Chief 5600 (Bruno). Chief Bruno arrived on the scene and assumed the command on Fire 2. Ladder 217 arrived 1st and were ordered to advance a 1.75” line to the apartment. The crew split and also began a search of the building. Engine 210 arrived next and laid a supply line from hydrant on Bishop to Blanchard Street and the crew advanced the second line (300’ 2” line) as a back up line. Rescue Engine 914 arrived next and laid a supply line from Blanchard Street and Crawford Lane to the scene. Engine 212 staged on East Logan Street and sent the crew to assist with operations. Rescue Engine 114 staged at the hydrant that Engine 210 laid. Crews made a quick knock on the fire and held it to a single room in the apartment. A Spring Township Police Officer and a tenant were transported from the scene for smoke inhalation. The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshalls Office was notified and is investigating the fire. Units cleared Box 211 at 1900 hours.
