According to the Mifflin County Office of Public Safety, shortly after the initial call, they began receiving multiple calls.

Upon the Lewistown Fire Department’s response, Deputy Chief Sean Markley reported he could see evidence of fire on the skyline from two miles away.

Upon Markley’s arrival, he noted that the reported location was an apartment building at the rear of 143/145 W. Fourth St., and that he observed fire showing.

Firefighters initially encountered heavy fire in two apartments in the building, but brought the fire under control around 4:40 a.m.

Sentinel photo by SAM BAUMGARDNER
Heritage Fire Co. Truck Capt. Greg Espigh calls out information to Lewistown Fire Department Deputy Chief Sean Markley from the second floor of an apartment building at the rear of 145 W. Fourth St.

Markley said the only resident of the building was not home at the time of the fire.

He added that the cause of the fire is under investigation by the fire marshal from the Pennsylvania State Police at Lewistown.

Several streets, including West Fourth Street, West Fifth Street, and Bratton Avenue, were closed during the fire and were reopened around 6 a.m.

Assisting Lewistown Fire Department at the scene were Reedsville Fire Co., Junction Fire Co., West Granville Fire Co., Chief Logan Fire Co., FAME EMS, Lewistown Police Department, and local fire police.

Sentinel photo by SAM BAUMGARDNER
Fire billows from an apartment at the rear of 145 W. Fourth St. as firefighters from Heritage Fire Co. attempt entry to search for occupants and throw ladders early Thursday morning.

Sentinel photo by SAM BAUMGARDNER
Firefighters from Junction Fire Co., from top, Truck Capt. Zach Myers, firefighter Andrew Ringler, firefighter Bryce Slemons, and firefighter Martin Palidino raise a ladder to the roof of the rear of 145 W. Fourth St.