Firefighters: water pressure problematic during Lancaster house fire response

One person is recovering at E.C.M.C. following a devastating house fire in Lancaster.

Flames quickly spread through the home on Pleasant View Drive Sunday morning. Two people managed to get out safely. The third person original was safe outside until he went back inside, neighbor Joe Pagano said.

Several fire companies responded to the scene. Firefighters said some technical problems hampered their efforts. “The hydrant in front of the house, once we started hooking up to it we lost all water pressure on it. So, we had to go to multiple different hydrant locations,” explained Bowmansville Fire Chief Tom Trzepacz.

Erie County Water Authority confirms the three hydrants in question were attached to the same six inch water main.  Due to volume and pressure from the multiple fire hose hookups, the main couldn't keep up with the demand.  Erie County Water dispatched emergency crews to redirect their lines to the 12 inch water main nearby. 

Deputy Director of Erie County Water Authority, Bob Lichtenthal, adds that it is a low pressure area and that the Authority works alongside the Town of Lancaster through a contract.

It's unclear if the Town of Lancaster will address the issue moving forward.

There's no word on the victim's condition.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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