Fire originating in an upstairs bathroom area heavily damaged a residence at 3136 Essex Road, in the western portion of Salisbury Township, in the afternoon of July 13, with Western Salisbury Fire Department Chief Joshua Wells crediting firefighters with a quick stop to prevent the fire from further damaging the home.

The neighborhood is adjacent to recreation fields behind the Western Salisbury Elementary School.

Fire was already coming through the roof of the residence when Wells arrived at the scene, after the blaze was reported by a neighbor about 5:20 p.m. Hose lines were quickly activated by the first arriving Western Salisbury engine and firefighters attacked the fire from inside the structure and from the roof level of the split level home.

No one was at home at the time the fire started.

Wells immediately asked the Lehigh County 911 Center to dispatch a second alarm, which brought mutual aid assistance from volunteer fire companies throughout eastern Lehigh County.

Salisbury Police Department Patrol Officer Brian Zulic arrived at the scene before the first responding engine and helped prepare the hydrant, located in front of the residence, for hookup to the arriving Western Salisbury pumper.

Salisbury Police Sgt. Donald Sabo, who is also the township fire marshal, said “The fire is still under investigation, but the area of origin is in the ceiling of the (upstairs) bathroom. Moderate to severe damage was done to the attic and roof area along with water and debris damage to the second and first floors. I will be consulting with the State Farm Fire investigator to determine the product or failure that caused the fire. It is not intentional in nature.”

In addition to Western Salisbury fire units, crews responded from Eastern Salisbury, Emmaus, Lower Macungie, Alburtis and the Greenawalds, Cetronia and Woodlawn stations in South Whitehall.

Ambulance crews from Emmaus and Cetronia were on scene and Macungie Ambulance Corps’ Incident Support unit was on scene to provide rehab service, such as hydration, snacks and monitoring of firefighters’ vital signs. Two firefighters were treated at the scene for superficial injuries by medics from the Emmaus Ambulance Corps.

Two pet cats residing at the home were located unharmed and two were unaccounted for and may have escaped when Wells forced entry into the home to check for occupants.

Eastern Salisbury fire police officers controlled access to the neighborhood.