Authorities are investigating a four-alarm fire that erupted in downtown Lebanon, Pennsylvania, over the weekend. The blaze, which started on Saturday night (December 13), involved multiple buildings on the 800 block of Cumberland Street. Fire crews responded to the scene around 9:36 p.m. and worked for more than eight hours to contain the fire.
According to Lebanon Fire Chief Aaron "A.J." Sweitzer, the fire originated in the basement of a building at 845 Cumberland Street. The fire spread quickly, affecting several nearby structures. "When we got here, we had a hard time identifying where the fire was and what it is that was actually burning," Sweitzer said. Crews had to force entry into several buildings to tackle the blaze. The fire caused the backside of the building to collapse into the basement, but it did not reach the roof.
Thankfully, there were no civilian injuries reported, although one firefighter was treated for burns and later released from the hospital. The fire displaced 14 residents and two animals, who were uninjured. The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania provided assistance to those affected.
Fire departments from Lebanon, Dauphin, Berks, and Lancaster counties collaborated to control the fire. The cause of the blaze remains undetermined, and several buildings on Cumberland Street have been condemned due to extensive water damage.
Lebanon Daily News reported that the fire affected businesses such as Simone Associates, Seniors Helping Seniors, and Iron Valley Real Estate.
