The Kingston Fire

The Times Leader article on the Kingston fire at 120-122 Price St
Angel Ravera, 20, and William Saez, 26, died inside the home, Eric Adams, 49, was pulled from a second-floor bedroom by firefighters and rushed to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead

Angelica Ravera, 18, and her mother, Laura Adams, 50, climbed out of a bedroom window and jumped from a roof onto a snow pile. Angelica Ravera was treated and released from Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township. Her mother was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital, where she was listed in serious condition Monday afternoon.

“Firefighters were met with heavy fire showing from the first and second floor,” Guido said. “With the amount of fire showing, they made an initial attack and backed out. We believe there might have been flash over, heavy fire that built up from high temperature and it just flashed out at them. They had to get out.”



And from the Citizens Voice



"Laura Adams and her daughter screamed for help early Monday as intense smoke and flames forced them to the front-porch roof of their 122 Price St. home. Her husband, Eric, remained inside - searching in vain for her two grown sons.
Within seconds, hope and heartache"



In addition to the emotional trauma, the chief said sub-freezing temperatures also took their toll.
"The conditions were treacherous. It was freezing cold. It was very, very slippery. It was extremely dangerous," Guido said. "Thank God, none of my guys were hurt."
"Luzerne County Chief Deputy Coroner William Lisman said Eric Adams nearly made it out. "He got to the window and slumped over," Lisman explained.



The Kingston Fire Department, under the direction of Chief Frank Guido, is a combination department consisting of twenty-three career firefighters including the Chief and approximately thirty active volunteers.

From what I've been told, The Kingston FD did an almost superhuman effort at this fire, especially considering their manning and the road conditions. They are a credit to the community and to all who call themselves Firefighters.

My heart goes out to the victims of this fire. The unfortunate truth is that this type of story will become very common in Wilkes-Barre, unless something is done to bring our manning back up to acceptable levels.

Yesterday 'a city official', stopped by South Station (Engine 3 was in service) and made a comment about, "How he thought it (South Station) was being used for something else (not a fire station) now."
I'm still hearing rumors that Leighton has plans to sell the station by the end of the year, whether he wins re-election or not. This CAN NOT be allowed to happen. Once gone there will NEVER be an other!

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote