WILSON BOROUGH, Pa. – Firefighters battling a three-alarm fire that erupted early this morning at the former Dixie Cup Factory. The blaze prompted a swift and extensive response from multiple fire companies across Northampton County, with dozens of fire trucks and first responders on the scene working to contain the flames.
Approximately 12 fire departments were involved in the operation, with additional units being called in to cover those that were unavailable. Fire Chief Sipel noted, “There are probably about 12 departments here, plus we had other departments moving in to fill empty spots.”
While the majority of the fire was contained within about 30 minutes, the size and layout of the building—located at the intersection of South 24th Street and Washington Boulevard—created some difficulties for the firefighters. “I think it measures 267 feet from one end to the other. Water was not an issue, but the large area posed a challenge,” Sipel explained.
The age of the building could lead to a prolonged effort to manage and extinguish hotspots. “Because it’s such an old structure with many spaces and areas up there, we need to ensure everything is fully extinguished,” said Sipel.
Responding crews arrived on scene around 6:45 a.m. on Friday and discovered a fire on the fourth floor that had spread to the roof. “It extended about two-thirds of the way down the building,” Sipel said.
The building’s owner praised the firefighters for their rapid response, calling them heroes. He has been present at the scene throughout the morning, coordinating the next steps. “These guys are leaving work to help everybody out, so it’s a huge help,” Sipel remarked. “Overall, it went as well as we could expect; the building is still standing.”
Investigations into the cause of the fire have begun, with both the Wilson Borough Fire Department and the City of Easton Fire Department involved in the inquiry.
