Around 0330 hours a Bethlehem Township ambulance spotted flames on the upper floors of what was the former 3rd Street Chicken & Ribs at 3rd and New Streets. The box was then transmitted for a building fire at that intersection. Engines 1, 3 and Ladder 1 arrived to find heavy smoke pushing from the upper floors of the 3-story brick structure. The upper floors we were told are vacant and the first floor is occupied by Southside Burgers.

The fire was deep-seated on the second floor and spread quickly. It extended into the cockloft and spread horizontally to exposure 4 - a three-story multi-family-dwelling (O/M/D). The exposure on side 3 was threatened, only to be separated by a 3 foot alley. Tower Ladder 2 positioned on the #2 side (New Street) kept the fire from extended into those buildings. Ladder 1 positioned on the #1 - 2 corner of the building giving it access to both sides of the building.

The fire burned out-of-control for more than 4 hours. Crews worked throughout the day extinquishing hot spots and overhauling. This video shows a time frame of about 3 1/2 hours of activity. A part two is expected. Stay tuned....

The fire is located just blocks north of Lehigh University and just west of the new Sands Casino in southside Bethlehem City.