After rescuing residents from upper-floor windows, crews faced another crisis when a firefighter issued a mayday amid heavy smoke before later falling from a ladder

By John Misinco
The Morning Call

EASTON, Pa. — Easton officials are lauding the efforts of first responders who saved multiple people as fire consumed a downtown building Friday, displacing around 40 residents.

At least several residents of the Hotel Hampton at 462 Northampton St. were rescued from windows by firefighters, Easton fire Chief Henry Hennings said at a news conference Saturday morning. He did not have an exact number of people rescued, but said it was around nine.

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Officials also identified the firefighter who was injured in the blaze: Bobby Lewullis, a career firefighter with the Wilson fire department. He remained in the intensive care unit at St. Luke’s Hospital-Anderson Campus as of Saturday morning, Hennings said.

Three other firefighters sustained minor injuries in the blaze, and four citizens were taken to area hospitals, according to Hennings.

The blaze was initially reported as an electrical fire in the basement at 10:45 a.m. Friday, and firefighters arrived several minutes later. By that point, fire had already spread throughout the building, and there were “multiple victims hanging out of multiple windows on all sides of building,” Hennings said.

Within a half hour, a firefighter on the third floor issued a mayday call after running out of air and getting lost in the thick smoke, but he was rescued by other firefighters. At that point, the firefighting efforts shifted to a defensive mode, according to Hennings.

The rooming house has 48 units, 42 of which were occupied, Hennings said. However, officials do not have an accurate headcount of the number of people that were inside at the time. While there are no reports of anyone missing, Northampton County coroner Zachary Lysek was on scene as a precaution as crews prepared to sift through the rubble.

“We want those people who have not checked in to check in,” of any residents who had not already come forward.

The five-story building was constructed in the 1900s of wood and brick, but a rear addition was built with combustible material, Hennings said.

Officials continue to evaluate the structural integrity of the building, and are checking on several sinkholes that were forming underneath it, according to Hennings.

Meanwhile, the American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter is continuing to help displaced residents, operating a shelter at Paxinosa Elementary School at 1221 Northampton St. Displaced residents can stay there while getting food, supplies, emotional support and assistance.

Anyone in need of Red Cross assistance should call 1-800-733-2767.

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