Crime & Safety
Smoking Material Left in Trash Can Starts House Fire
An early morning fire at 628 Wyandotte St. in Bethlehem started by discarded smoking materials sent a resident and a firefighter to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment.
A fire that started from discarded smoking materials in a plastic trash can at a Bethlehem home sent two people to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
About 2 a.m. today (Friday), the fire broke out in a bedroom at 628 Wyandotte Street, City Fire Commissioner George Barkanic said. A resident, David Schwartz, tried to put it out and was overcome by smoke. He was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem for treatment.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze but a firefighter also suffered smoke inhalation and was treated and released at St. Luke’s, Barkanic said. Fire damage to the house was estimated at $2,500.
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The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley provided temporary shelter for the residents. Barkanic said the house needs some cleanup and broken windows fixed but the residents should be able to return to the home soon.
