Firefighters from the Lewistown Fire Department, including Heritage Fire Co. and City Hook & Ladder, were dispatched at about 10 p.m. to reports of a house fire with people trapped near West Market and North Grand streets.

Upon arrival, Lewistown Fire Department District Chief Patrick Shoop Jr. confirmed the building was an occupied apartment complex with fire visible and civilians trapped inside. He corrected the address to 139 W. Market St. and requested a second alarm, bringing additional firefighters to the scene.

Aerial trucks from Heritage Fire Co. and Junction Fire Co. were positioned on West Market Street and North Grand Street as firefighters, assisted by officers from the Lewistown Police Department, rescued occupants from apartment windows and helped others escape using a fire escape. Additional crews deployed handlines to bring the fire under control.

According to Shoop, four civilians were rescued from the building. One person was transported to Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital for evaluation.

Sentinel photo by SAM BAUMGARDNER
Firefighters from Junction Fire Co. ascend their ladder to the bucket to go to the roof of 139 W. Market St. in Lewistown on Wednesday evening.

Three firefighters also were either treated at the scene or transported to the hospital for injuries sustained while battling the blaze.

The American Red Cross was called to assist residents displaced by the fire.

Shoop said approximately 100 firefighters from Mifflin, Juniata and Huntingdon counties responded. Some crews remained on scene into the early morning hours, with the last apparatus clearing the scene around 3 a.m.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal, who responded to the scene during the incident.

West Market Street, North Grand Street and West Third Street were closed during the fire. A portion of North Grand Street remained closed into Thursday.

Agencies assisting included Heritage Fire Co., City Hook & Ladder, Burnham Fire Co., Reedsville Fire Co., Milroy Hose Co., Junction Fire Co., Granville Fire Co., West Granville Fire Co., Chief Logan Fire Co., Friendship Fire Co. of Port Royal, Mifflintown Hose Co., Beale Township Fire Co., Mount Union Fire Co., Huntingdon Regional Fire & Rescue, Fame EMS, Milroy Hose Co. EMS, Lewistown Borough Police, Granville Township Police, Mifflin County Regional Police, the Pennsylvania State Police and local fire police.