RAEGAN MEDGIE
WNEP
Reprinted with Permission

The near zero temperatures made it very difficult for crews trying to fight a fire Monday morning in Monroe County.

Firefighters had to truck in water to battle a fire at Water Gap Village Apartments because the fire hydrants froze.

Firefighters have been on scene since 9 a.m. at the apartments on Route 611, also known as North Main Street in Delaware Water Gap.

That's when officials said a fire sparked inside one of the apartments.

Fire officials said when they arrived on scene, they went to use two of the fire hydrants located in the complex. When they screwed off the hydrant cap, the water was frozen.

Officials had to call nearby departments to bring in water tankers. Departments also pumped water from nearby Brodhead Creek.

A total of eight fire departments helped battle the blaze and firefighters had to deal with both the fire and the frigid temperatures.

All six apartments have some type of damage. Two of them, where firefighters believe the blaze started, are destroyed.

Some people were not at home when the fire started but they had pets inside their apartments. Neighbors helped rescue most of the pets. Only one cat is unaccounted for.

The American Red Cross is assisting people who have been displaced by the fire.

The fire marshal has been requested by the fire chief to investigate the cause of the blaze.

PennDOT said part of Route 611 north in Delaware Water Gap is closed due to the fire.