Crime & Safety

Fatality Confirmed in Fire Station Inferno

At least one person was reportedly killed when a dump truck slammed into the Leithsville Fire Company in Lower Saucon Township Thursday.

UPDATE: The dump truck driver, 42-year-old Michael Thomas, is reported to be in stable condition at Lehigh Valley Hospital. WFMZ is reporting that the person who is confirmed dead was found inside a second vehicle in the ruins of the fire station.

at the in Lower Saucon Township resulted in at least one fatality, according to an updated story published by the Express-Times tonight.

Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek said the investigation into has revealed the possibility that multiple vehicles were involved in the crash that sparked the fire, but declined further comment, the paper reported.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The driver of the dump truck that crashed into the front of the fire station reportedly suffered burns in the three-alarm fire that subsequently erupted, and was taken to an area hospital, but it remains unclear if his injuries were or are considered life-threatening.

June Schoenenberger, a Leithsville Road resident who called 911 after hearing the accident and witnessing the fire, said the driver was helped to safety by several men who were working in the yard of a neighboring property.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Companies from as far away as Warren County, New Jersey and Trexlertown, Lehigh County raced to the scene of the blaze after it was first reported at about 1pm.

Late in the afternoon, local crews remained at the scene of the fire, while volunteer companies from Palmer Township and Bucks County helped provide coverage for the Saucon Valley area.


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