Early Morning Fire displaces 17 people

Dispatched @ 2:45 Am by Luzerne County 911 Center for a residential structure fire at 579 Alter St. , C-2, Ladder 1 Engine 2 & 4 responded. Engine 2 arrived on scene called a working fire in the rear of the structure with a man on the third floor balcony possible entrapment ,Crews placed a ladder up and searched the third floor all occupants were out. Engine 4 went to a hydrant at 3rd and Alter and established a water supply. Crews used 4 inch and three quarter hand lines to fight the fire, 1 on the first floor 2 inside on the second floor and 1 on the outside fire escape. Fire appears to have started on the first floor back porch 0f 577 Alter st and spread up to the second floor .Crews extinguished the fire and checked for extension. no injuries to tenants or fire fighters.