Blaze Devastates Trucking Firms in North Whitehall

In North Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, emergency response teams from multiple counties were deployed to address a severe fire at two trucking businesses early Monday morning. The incident, which began just after 1 a.m. at a site on Kernsville Road near Route 309, rapidly escalated, producing a significant smoke column visible to nearby residents.

Donald Jacobs, the North Whitehall Township fire marshal, confirmed the fire’s severity, noting that the first responders observed the structure was already heavily engulfed, with parts collapsing upon their arrival. The site, shared by Doctor Diesel and OCS Transport, became a complex scene due to the hazardous materials involved, including substantial quantities of diesel fuel and tires, posing additional risks to the firefighting efforts.

Jacobs highlighted the extensive resources mobilized to combat the blaze, with around 70 firefighters working for several hours to manage and eventually suppress the fire. The efforts involved not only local fire departments but also units from neighboring counties such as Northampton, Berks, and Carbon.

Despite the challenges, the fire was eventually brought under control, though the structure remained too unstable for immediate entry. Subsequently, demolition crews worked to safely dismantle the remains and address residual hot spots, a necessary step before investigation into the cause could proceed.

Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and it appears the buildings were unoccupied at the time of the fire. The investigation into the fire’s origin is ongoing, with fire officials examining patterns and other evidence that could suggest how the incident started. The extensive damage may complicate these efforts, potentially obscuring key details necessary to determine the exact cause.