Fire and smoke caused extensive damage to the Simon Kramer Institute facility in New Philadelphia early Wednesday morning.
No injuries were reported and the American Red Cross is assisting two people who were living in the building. A third person, who was originally reported as living in the building, was not present Wednesday morning and only lives there on a part-time basis, according to sources at the scene.
At about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, firefighters from across Schuylkill County were dispatched to the scene of Simon Kramer Institute, a former middle school on Alliance St. in New Philadelphia.
The facility also houses the Schuylkill County Coroner’s Office. The County Morgue is located adjacent to the office and is also located on the sprawling property.
According to Anthony Paltanavage, Assistant Chief with New Philadelphia Fire Dept., firefighters encountered heavy smoke coming from the front entrance of the building upon their arrival.
Once inside, fire was located near medical offices located on the south side of the building.
Paltanavage tells The Canary that firefighters in that area were monitored for radiation exposure. Simon Kramer Institute performs radiation treatments to patients. He could not confirm if radiation equipment was on fire but fire was near that equipment.
“I know there was fire down by the radiation machines. I do not know exactly what was on fire,” he says.
Paltanavage says damage inside the building is fairly extensive. Smoke and water damage extends from the foyer to the north side of the building. Fire was mostly limited to the lower floor on the south side of the building, he says.
During the firefight, at about 5 a.m., any non-essential personnel near the property were evacuated.
A temporary water supply was established on Clay St., which leads to Alliance St., where the building is located.
A crew from PPL Corp. arrived on scene and electric service was shut off to the building.
Arrangements were being made to transport two deceased individuals in the Schuylkill County Morgue to a nearby funeral home.
At about 6:30 a.m., the fire was deemed under control.
The Simon Kramer Institute building has made headlines recently outside of today’s incident. Recently, a prospective buyer brought plans to open a haunted house inside the former school building.
Schuylkill County Zoning Hearing Board denied that buyer’s request for a variance that would allow him to open that business there.
In response to that decision, Schuylkill County Commissioner Larry Padora said he planned to explore options that include moving the Coroner’s Office to another location.
The property is currently owned by Anthracite Radiation Therapeutics LLC and its principal owner is David Moylan, who serves as Schuylkill County Coroner. Moylan rents space for the Coroner’s Office for $2,500 per month, a rent that was raised just prior to the proposal brought forth for the haunted house. Prior that that, Moylan was charging the County $200 for the space in his building.
RELATED:
County Zoning Board Denies Variance for New Philly Haunted House
Schuylkill County to Begin Exploring Relocation of Coroner’s Office
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Frank
June 18, 2025 at 10:31 am
Good job Canary! Can’t find news on this anywhere else