Two Alarm House Fire during solar panel install in Northampton, PA.

Just before 3:00pm Monday, Northampton County 911 transmitted the box for 1673 Newport Avenue, Northampton Borough for a reported house fire. Workers installing solar panels on the home said the electrical panel was on fire and they put the fire out.

When Chief 42 arrived he reported smoke showing and then upgraded the box to a working fire. Engine 42 laid a supply line to supply water and stretched a hand line to the interior. Truck 42 positioned in the driveway next to the 2.5- story end of row (EOR). Crews found fire in the attack of the dwelling. Coplay Rescue Engine 5 arrived at 17th and Newport. Catasauqua Ladder 2 positioned behind Engine 5 and was the F.A.S.T. company.

The fire eventually broke through the exterior wall on B side. More lines were stretched to the interior as crews started opening walls. The fire was spreading vertically in the old wood-frame structure.

The second alarm was sounded to bring in more firefighters. A total of 4 lines were stretched with 3 in operation. Catasauqua Engine 2 was in the rear alley and stretched the 4th line dry.

The workers of the solar panel company watched from across the street as the home burned. At one point, the panels were sparking and the firefighters wanted to know if the power was off to them.

The bulk of the fire was contained in about 30 minutes. However, firefighters remained on the scene for hours overhauling.

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