In what was a tragic St. Patrick's Day in Emmaus, four people died in a South 5th Street fire which started just before noon March 17.

The initial call to the Lehigh County Communications Center reporting the fire was received approximately 11:52 a.m. and the fire quickly spread throughout the multi-dwelling home at 36 through 38 South 5th Street.

The Emmaus Fire Department, Emmaus Police Department and Emmaus Ambulance Corps responded with Wescosville, Lower Macungie, Vera Cruz, Lower Milford, Alburtis and Western Salisbury fire departments responding as the fire grew to multiple alarms. The South Whitehall and Emmaus fire police as well as the Cetronia Ambulance Corps were also on the scene.

The Lehigh County Coroner's office confirmed four individuals died during the fire. Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim said positive identification will be made through scientific means. He said if the identification cannot be made through the use of dental comparisons, DNA testing will be performed. After positive identification and notification to the families, their identities will be released.

Firefighters entered the building in an attempt to rescue the victims and fight the fire from the inside but the structure was compromised by the flames which spread from the south side of the building to engulf the entire dwelling. Firefighters blared their fire trucks' horns to alert crew members inside the building of the structure's instability.

Lower Macungie firefighter Gabe McNabb said the fire had completely engulfed the south side of the apartment building when firefighters tried to enter from a rear staircase in an attempt to rescue a trapped tenant. He said the fire "flashed" to engulf the whole structure, forcing the evacuation of the rescuers.

Brooke Woomer, 14, was able to make it safely out of the building due to the quick thinking of her father, Joe Woomer, a former volunteer firefighter. Her father said he entered the building to notify his daughter of the impending danger before the arrival of fire crews. Woomer said he heard others inside the building but could not reach them through the smoke and the flames. He said he told the responding firefighters there was "definite entrapment" on the upper floor of the building, where the most intense portion of the fire appeared to be.

Residents and onlookers lined the streets watching firefighters battle the inferno. There were close to 100 people at the corner of Broad and South 5th streets watching in horror as the realization set in that there could be people trapped inside.

Neici Talavera, a recent nursing school graduate, stayed at the location during the initial portion of the blaze and said she was staying to help if needed before the multiple ambulance crews arrived on scene.

Firefighters were onsite throughout the evening fighting hotspots in the structure.

The North Penn Goodwill Service, of Souderton, provided trucks to supply firefighters, police and ambulance personnel with food, coffee, water and relief for the hours they spent onsite.

The American Red Cross Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter is assisting two families who were displaced by the fire by providing food and clothing to one family of one adult and two children and a second family of two adults who received assistance of food, clothing and shoes. The Red Cross said they will follow up with additional services, if needed.

The Lehigh County Coroner's Office, Emmaus Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police are continuing the investigation.

Editor's Note: Additional photos from the fire scene can be found on our website at www.eastpenn. thelehighvalleypress.com for our subscribers.