SARAH BUYNOVSKY
WNEP
Reprinted with Permission

More than 20 people were forced out of their apartments after a Tuesday morning fire in Wilkes-Barre.


Investigators said the apartment building on South Grant Street did not have a working fire alarm system.

The building has been converted from the Dana Street School into an apartment building with about 40 units.

Investigators said it is a code violation not to have a working fire alarm system.

"That's one of the reasons the building is being shut down. It has to have an operable fire alarm system and that's what being stressed right now," said Wilkes-Barre Fire Chief Jay Delaney.

City leaders said they realized the problem after some belongings including mattress caught fire inside an apartment here.

A neighbor saw smoke coming from a window and called 911.

Firefighters managed to put the blaze out before it could spread. No one was hurt, but families like the Fishers have to find somewhere else to go.

"If we have to leave, we have to leave, but hopefully not for long because we like this place," said Alice Fisher of Wilkes-Barre.

"And we really like it here too. Quiet, you know. What could I say?" said her mother, Anne Fisher.

The American Red Cross is helping the Fishers and others find places to stay, until a working fire alarm system is installed in the building.

"A working smoke alarm is probably the most important safety device someone can have in their house, a working smoke alarm," said Chief Delaney.

Investigators said the fire started by accident.