Firefighters Battle Blaze at Same Address Twice in One Night
A fire on the 900 block of West Main Street that displaced 26 people reignited six hours later.
Firefighters from several area companies responded the 900 block of West Main Street at approximately 4:10 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, for a report of a three story building with fire and heavy smoke showing from the third floor.
According to Norristown Fire Chief Thomas O'Donnell, the fire spread quickly from 918 West Main Street to the adjoining building at 920 West Main, but firefighters where able to bring the blaze under control within 30 minutes.
One firetruck was damaged during the blaze when a passenger vehicle attempting to get around the truck at the rear of the scene struck the truck as firefighters were laying hoses. Chief O'Donnell reported that the engine sustained heavy damage and had to be towed from the scene.
No one was reported injured in the fire, but according to a Red Cross official, nine families with a total of 26 people are receiving assistance in the form of food and clothing following the fire. The Red Cross is also providing temporary lodging for eight of the nine families displaced by the fire. Both buildings were reportedly condemned by the Norristown Code Enforcement Department.
Nearly 6 hours later, at 10:07 p.m., firefighters were reportedly called again to the same address for another fire. According to the Breaking News Network, crews making an interior search of 918 West Main Street reported that the original fire had rekindled in the third floor front bedroom. A witness reported on Facebook that firefighters were throwing furniture from the third floor windows in an attempt to control the second fire's spread. Firefighters reportedly brought the second fire under control in under 20 minutes.
Officials have yet to report a cause of the original fire. Norristown Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.
Michael G. Comfort
10:48 am on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Nine families with 26 people in that building? Where the hell is the borough inspecting and closing down properties like that? And who is the owner? Will someone please print that and let the rest of the borough and county know if they own any more similar properties and where they are located.
asdfjkl;
12:53 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
There were different apartments in the building.
jxjipper
12:00 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
OUTSTANDING comment. While the Borough "Government" is wringing their hands about the ethnicity of the new police chief, the slumlords continue run wild year after year 24/7/365. Hey Council I bet this owner is one of those hated 1% ers our President has been screaming about. Doesn't he and the next door slumlord as well need to be publicly castigated. Cash collections from the extra bodies they have stuffed in there. You could hear those boarders at 918 screaming and holler at each other from a half a block away day and night. The one guy that lived there was for sure involved in expediting the delivery of controlled substances as witness by myself and anyone else with two working eyeballs.
Us Citzen
2:09 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Yes Love all those comments. Because while my slum ass landlord leaves me and my family with no heat, walks in and out my house and goes to the bourgh and get aggresive with them he stills is allowed to rent with a rental license. Norristown code sucks and the good people of norristown are paying for it.
Kimberly Lane
2:13 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
TaxMapID 13152 020
Parid 13-00-22708-00-4
Land Use Code 1136
Land Use Description R - QUADRAPLEX
Property Location 918 W MAIN ST
Lot #
Lot Size 5400 SF
Zoning RO
Front Feet 27
Municipality NORRISTOWN
School District NORRISTOWN AREA
Utilities ALL PUBLIC//
Owner
Name(s) BALLONE RAYMOND J & MARYANN E
Name(s)
Care Of
Mailing Address 918 W MAIN ST
Mailing Address
Mailing Address NORRISTOWN PA 19401
THINK THIS HOUSE WAS A HALF WAY/ ROOMING QUADRAPLEX PEOPLE ALWAYS HANGING AROUND IN THE FRONT. THE COUNTY RECORDS SHOW THE OWNERS MAILING ADRESS WAS THAT LOCATION!!!!
Michael G. Comfort
4:52 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
"Quadraplex" sure sounds to me like four apartments-not nine. If a landlord is illegally packing that many people/families into a building that is not fit to hold them is that landlord not guilty of risking a catastrophe? Isn’t there any law in place that would automatically call for any other properties that landlord owns to investigated for additional violations? And how about revoking their permit or license to rent property? If there aren't laws addressing these life-threatening issues why not?
jxjipper
6:46 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
guess what the landlord has property in Wildwood too! So our trash makes his cash and he vacations by the sea.