What can we help you find?

Two Killed in Thursday Morning Fire

February 14, 2019 | Bureau of Fire

Two residents were killed Thursday morning in a fire at 758 Poplar St. Lancaster City Bureau of Fire was dispatched at 4:01 a.m. to the home in the Cabbage Hill neighborhood. Firefighters arrived to find fire coming from a 2.5 story rowhome at the end of the row. Bureau of Fire personnel made an aggressive attack inside the residence. Heavy fire was found on the second floor where they conducted a search and rescue in which they found one adult male and one adult female unconscious on the second-floor hallway.

Firefighters quickly rescued both victims from the second floor and provided immediate emergency medical care with assistance from Lancaster Emergency Medical Services. Both victims were transported to Lancaster General Hospital in life-threatening condition. Both victims were later pronounced dead. The victims are identified as Lydia Montes, 59 and Jose Montes, 59.

The incident was upgraded to a second alarm, bringing approximately 75 firefighters to the scene. The fire was extinguished within 30 minutes and no other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Lancaster City Fire Marshal Division, Lancaster City Bureau of Police, and Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal’s office are working collectively to determine the cause of the fire. Fire Marshals report that the home had smoke detectors, and neighbors heard alarms sounding.

The Lancaster City Bureau of Fire reminds residents to:

– Install smoke detectors on every floor and in every bedroom.
– Test your smoke detectors every month by the pressing the “test” button.
– Ensure every person in your home understands and practices your home fire escape plan twice a year.

If you do not have working smoke detectors, Lancaster City Bureau of Fire can provide smoke detectors and installation free of charge to qualified homeowners in the City of Lancaster. For more information on the smoke detector program, please contact the Fire Marshal Division at 717-291-4869.