Picture and Story by Stephen Barrett

Structure fire at the Patterson Block plant, Locust Summit, Mt. Carmel township, Northumberland County Pa., route 54 and route 901 (south of Mt. Carmel and west of Ashland) was reported at 15:30 hours by an employee.  The building was well involved when fire units arrived on scene.  Defensive operations were the plan of attack due to the hazardous chemicals in side the industrial structure.  A large tanker shuttle operation was used to supply the defensive fire attack.  Cold weather and a delay in water supply made the operations difficult.  Two elevated master steams were used in the attack.  units responded:  Northumberland- Beaverdale, Atlas, Locust Gap, Mount Carmel, Strong, Elysburg, Mount Carmel EMS, Shamokin RIT team, Kulpmont; Columbia- Wilburton;  Schuylkill- fountain springs, Gordon, Lavelle, Ashland.Fire was reported out at 19:47hours.