Easton fire: K-9 units, coroner on scene at Hotel Hampton as dozens displaced downtown

EASTON, Pa. — Easton’s fire chief said Saturday that officials cannot account for everyone who was inside the Hotel Hampton rooming house when a three-alarm fire tore through the building Friday, and that K-9 units will search all debris removed from the site.

“We do not have an accurate account of the people that were in this building,” Chief Henry Hennings said at a morning press conference outside the destroyed five-story structure at 462 Northampton St. The Northampton County coroner stood nearby.

No one has been reported missing, Hennings said, but 42 of the building’s 48 units were occupied and officials have not been able to confirm that every resident made it out. Crews plan to haul the debris to a separate location where dogs trained in detection work will go through it.

“We’re asking, at this time — even though we have no reports of anyone missing — we want those people that have not checked in to check in, regardless of status,” Hennings said.

The wood-frame building, built in the 1900s, housed some of Easton’s most vulnerable residents. Fire broke out in the basement Friday morning. By the time crews shifted to defensive operations, much of the 200-foot-long structure was burning. The rear addition, built of combustible materials, collapsed.

Sinkholes are now forming in the basement beneath what’s left. By Saturday afternoon, most of the building had been demolished.

A structural engineer inspected the site Saturday morning. All adjacent buildings along the block have been placarded and had their power cut while the city evaluates whether the volume of water used to fight the fire has undermined their foundations.

Twenty-nine people slept at a temporary shelter at Paxinosa Elementary School Friday night. Peter Brown, executive director of the American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter, said volunteers are providing around-the-clock coverage — meals, mental health check-ins, and help replacing medications that residents lost in the fire.

“This is an incredibly stressful situation for the individuals that are involved in the fire,” Brown said. “We want to make sure that they have access to support if they need it.”

The shelter has to move by Sunday because the school reopens Monday. As of Saturday morning, a new location had not been finalized.

Brown said the biggest challenge ahead is housing. Forty-two occupied units were destroyed in a city where affordable housing is already scarce.

“There’s going to be a significant need for replacement housing. And as we all know, that is in very, very short supply,” Brown said. “It’s going to be a challenging task to find new housing for a lot of these folks.”

It is the third consecutive year a major fire in Easton has required the use of Paxinosa as a shelter. Brown referenced last year’s Hotel Lafayette fire, which occurred less than a block away.

The Red Cross will begin daily coordination calls Monday with local agencies, churches, the Easton Area School District, and city and county officials to connect displaced residents with services. Brown said the organization is discussing whether to establish a designated fund for the fire, potentially administered through the United Way.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free.

Donations are being collected starting Saturday after 10 a.m. at the side door on 12th Street. Easton City Councilwoman Julie Zando-Dennis said the greatest needs include clean clothing, coats, shoes, new underwear and socks, maternity items, and duffel bags or luggage.

Displaced residents who have not yet checked in are urged to contact the Red Cross at the Paxinosa shelter or the Easton Police Department.

Hennings also revealed Saturday that during Friday’s response, the fire department requested that Met-Ed shut down power to the building, but “that did not take place as it should have.” Firefighters ended up operating on a ladder at the rear of the building, which was energized.

Four civilians were hospitalized. Three Easton firefighters suffered minor injuries and one EMS provider was transported for smoke inhalation. Wilson Borough firefighter Bobby Lewullis, who declared a Mayday after running out of air on the third floor, fell approximately 20 feet from a 35-foot ladder during his bailout and suffered multiple fractures.

A “Fill the Boot for Bobby” fundraiser is set for Friday, Feb. 27, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Pints & Pies Neighborhood Pub, 2049 Northampton St., Wilson, Pa.

The cause remains under investigation. The city’s codes department director said Saturday that the building had been inspected multiple times and was in compliance with code, with only minor violations. Officials said further updates will come at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.