York fire, fatal building collapse: Here’s what we know now

(York) — Two firefighters are dead and two are being treated at York Hospital after a collapse at the scene of Wednesday’s devastating fire at the Weaver Organ and Piano building in York.

What happened?

Calls of “mass casualty” and “mayday” came over the 911 system at about 3:15 p.m. on Thursday. Reports were of several individuals trapped inside the rubble, according to York County 911.

Four firefighters were transported to the hospital. Two have died. They are Ivan Flanscha, 50, of Red Lion, and Zachary Anthony, 29. They are the 12th and 13th firefighters killed in the line of duty.

The two survivors are recovering at York Hospital. They are Assistant Chief Greg Altland and firefighter Erik Swanson

All four are from the York City fire department and were trapped when the building collapsed while investigating the fire.

While part of the building collapsed Wednesday, much more of the building came down Thursday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, firefighters had been extinguishing hot spots. “We still have fire within the building itself,” York City Deputy Fire Chief Chad Deardorff said at the time.

“We’re ultimately going to have to get heavy equipment in to start knocking some of this down, pulling pieces apart to get to the deep-seeded fires and the pockets of fire underneath the collapse zone,” he said.

Watch: York mayor, fire officials talk about firefighters killed on duty (Courtesy of the York Daily Record).

 

What occurred Wednesday at the site?

Firefighters were called to the building at Broad and Walnut streets at about 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday. 

Flames poured from the building, and thick gray smoke spread through the neighborhood. Nearly two hours later, part of the building collapsed. No firefighters were inside at the time.

More than 100 firefighters responded, and streets in the area were shut down. 

One York City firefighter was taken to a local hospital with an ankle injury. No other injuries were reported.