DALLAS — A woman suffered burns and had to be rescued late Tuesday as a fire spread, destroying two homes and displacing four people, officials say.
Back Mountain Regional Fire Deputy Chief Lynn Sheehan said firefighters arrived at 118 Main St. about 10:30 p.m. to find heavy flames and smoke.
By that time, the fire had spread to 122 Main St., according to Sheehan. Both buildings contained several apartments.
Sheehan said firefighters from Shavertown’s department were able to rescue a woman trapped in a second-floor apartment in the building where the fire originated.
Officials at Dallas Little People Daycare School have identified her as Ilalou Warmouth.
Daycare owner Barbara Kohler said Warmouth has been working at the daycare for over 30 years.
Kohler heard from Warmouth’s family that she is on a ventilator, and that she suffered burns on her arms, legs, and stomach. Warmouth is in the intensive care unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital near Allentown in stable condition, according to Kohler.
Sheehan described the fire as “intense,” noting the older design of the first house enabled the flames to travel quickly.
“The fire went basically from the basement to the attic,” he said.
Firefighters called out a tanker truck to make sure they had enough water on hand.
“We did have hydrant systems, but we wanted to make sure we had backup just in case, because we got houses pretty close together here,” he said. Sheehan added that firefighters were able to prevent flames from spreading to a third nearby residence.
Sheehan said crews were on scene until about 5 a.m. before most were sent home. Other officials remained until approximately 8 a.m.
Sheehan described damage to both houses as extensive. Their roofs collapsed, and signs condemning the structures were visible Wednesday.
The American Red Cross said in an email that emergency assistance is being provided to four displaced residents.
A firefighter was treated for minor burns at the scene.
Sheehan said a Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal is investigating what caused the blaze.
A GoFundMe account has been created to support Warmouth. Kohler plans to create other fundraisers as she learns more about what Warmouth needs during her recovery.
