Fire Rips Through Historic Towanda Apartment Building, Chases 16

Towanda, Bradford County -- Photos showed the early stages of a fierce fire that ripped through an apartment building in Towanda. It was Saturday morning around 10:30 when flames shot from the historic brick building known as Bailey Block at the corner of Main Street and Seebick Alley. "It was a stubborn fire to fight," said Towanda Fire Chief Bill Roff. As smoke poured from the fire scene, he said what made things especially stubborn was the age and construction of Bailey Block. "With the brick building and the number of apartments in there it was hard to get everybody out." But that they did -- including one tenant in an apartment who didn't realize for about a half-hour that the building was on fire. "There was a woman on the south side apartment third floor in the window waving to us, so we got a ladder up to her, but she ended up coming down the stairs herself getting herself out," said Chief Roof.

Nine families totaling 16 people had to evacuate. Chief Roof says the fire started in a second floor apartment and spread through a common attic. The difference maker in containing the fire was helped by upwards of 100 firefighters who left their families to respond on a cold, December day. "We had a lot of manpower here for one thing and the ladder trucks were a tremendous help. And then the fire wall stopped it from spreading to the other building."

Another tremendous help according to North Towanda Fire & Rescue volunteer Derric Bailey

was the community itself which rallied to respond in a time of crisis. "We've got firefighters and volunteers from all over Bradford County showing up to help. People that came on mutual aid calls and also people that just showed up from the community in general to do what they can. We've had cash donations dropped off at the Dandy Mini Mart to go directly to the fire department. We've even had private citizens show up with food out of their own kitchens to help out any way they can."

Chief Roof says it appears careless smoking is to blame for the Towanda fire. The Red Cross is providing food clothing and shelter to the fire victims.

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Fire Rips Through Historic Towanda Apartment Building, Chases 16