It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Colonial Industrial Quarter gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Bethlehem, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always treated with respect and they showed care for my mother. Everyone was pleasant when”
“Always Best Care Senior Services provided very professional services that resulted in finding the best”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of”
“I am a current client of this provider Always best care cared for my mother. They”
“Ken Good was so helpful and knowledgable when my elderly father needed in-home care. He”
“Ken and Rebecca have been extremely helpful during the process of finding in-home care for”
“Ken is a fantastic provider of in-home care in Doylestown. I highly recommend his team.”
“Ken was the first person I really talked to when I found out my father”
“Excellent in every respect.”
“The support provided by Ken and Rebecca Good (and all of their team) has been”
“Very few businesses or even people come from a place of compassion and a good”
“I am a current client of this provider Ken and Rebecca go above and beyond”
“Ken and Rebecca were a godsend in our search for care for our elderly father.”
“Very good, prompt attention to an unexpected need for day care in home for Mother-in-law.”
“Ken & Rebecca were very helpful & knowledgeable with resources in helping me care for”
“Both Rebecca and Ken were very easy to talk with and were very interested in”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care provides extremely caring, compassionate help”
“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Greater Bethlehem.”
“Always treated with respect and they showed care for my mother. Everyone was pleasant when I would call about different circumstances.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services provided very professional services that resulted in finding the best personal care facility fit for my mother. They have a passion for helping seniors and prioritize the health and well-being of their clients over everything else. I would highly recommend them when you are in a position of finding senior care services for your loved ones.”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of Bethlehem. Wonderful staff and excellent caregivers that go above and beyond what is expected of them!”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of Bethlehem. Wonderful staff and excellent caregivers that go above and beyond what is expected of them!”
“I am a current client of this provider Always best care cared for my mother. They have been amazing. My mother really likes her caregiver.”
“Ken Good was so helpful and knowledgable when my elderly father needed in-home care. He actually came to the rehab center to meet us where my father was getting physical therapy after a fall. This way he was able to accurately access how much care my father would need and which caregivers would be the right fit. We were afraid we'd have to move him to a nursing home but fortunately we were able to set up in-home care. It's been four months now and we have been very happy with the caregivers who have been assigned to my father. Always Best Care is very responsive and flexible in adjusting hours as needed, somehow managing to keep the caregivers my parents have bonded with even though the hours have been reduced. We are happy our parents are able to age in place with care as they need it.”
“Ken and Rebecca have been extremely helpful during the process of finding in-home care for my in-laws. They have been sensitive to our needs, diligent in their efforts to provide the best possible care, and consistent in their follow-up to see if things are satisfactory. We have been executing this process from out-of-state and the process has been very smooth. Through phone calls and face-to-face meetings when possible, both Ken and Rebecca have been professional, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Services.”
“Ken is a fantastic provider of in-home care in Doylestown. I highly recommend his team.”
“Ken was the first person I really talked to when I found out my father was given a year to live. Instead of immediately looking at me like a business opportunity, he treated me like a close friend. He listened and treated me with complete kindness.. I have gotten to know Ken and his wife Rebecca and I can easily say that they are two of the most wonderful people I have ever met. There is nothing in this world I wouldn't trust them with. Especially the care of a loved one.”
“Excellent in every respect.”
“The support provided by Ken and Rebecca Good (and all of their team) has been invaluable as the family navigates through dealing with the impact of our sister's illness to all of us. The structure with using ABC's online portal to evidence our sister's care is extremely beneficial in ensuring strong and coordinated communication. It is truly appreciative this technology is available and utilized by ABC. For those dealing with identifying care for a loved one, you would be smart to contact Always Best Care of Upper Buxmont.”
“Very few businesses or even people come from a place of compassion and a good heart. Always Best Care does. The client always comes first as does their health and well-being, and the family seeking the best for their loved ones. Thank you Ken for all you did for my parents!”
“I am a current client of this provider Ken and Rebecca go above and beyond for their clients, as do their staff. They handled emergent situations for my grandmother when we were on vacation - staying with her the entire time at the hospital. Ken also did significant research for our decision to put her in an assisted living community. I highly recommend Always Best Care.”
“Ken and Rebecca were a godsend in our search for care for our elderly father. Both Ken and Rebecca were incredibly compassionate, empathetic and caring. In addition, they were knowledgeable and had a wonderful process for determining the needs of the family, the needs of the specific individual and finding an appropriate match for a caregiver to meet those needs. I can't say enough about the services provided by Always Best Care. Ken always went above and beyond, he knew the questions to ask, and how to navigate all the red tape of various organizations (Veterans Administration, etc.) AND he diligently does site visits to the facilities he references so he is able to speak from experience about the quality of care at the facilities under consideration. If you are in need of advice and assistance in caring for a family member I recommend Ken and Rebecca and Always Best Care with no reservations.”
“Very good, prompt attention to an unexpected need for day care in home for Mother-in-law. Ken is very well versed in available providers and other services needed at this time.The day care providers dealt well with her memory problems.”
“Ken & Rebecca were very helpful & knowledgeable with resources in helping me care for my Mom during an extremely difficult time. It was great finding two people who cared & listened to my situation. I never felt alone in my difficult decision making process.”
“Both Rebecca and Ken were very easy to talk with and were very interested in getting to know my father. They went out of their way to help us as our plans changed from in home care to personal care. They explained the process and were with us every step of the way to answer questions and provide support. I would use them again in a minute.”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care provides extremely caring, compassionate help for my mom, I live out of town, and can't be there myself very often. But this business goes all-out to take care of my mom. I don't know what we would do without them.”
“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Greater Bethlehem.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Sand Island Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Melting Pot or visit Single Sisters' House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Bethlehem, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Bethlehem, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Bethlehem, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - New information is shining light on what may have caused a four-alarm fire that tore through the roof of a Bethlehem apartment building.135 people are now displaced after the fire broke out this afternoon at the Five 10 Flats in Southside Bethlehem.Now, some questions have been answered."We went back and looked at security footage and based on where the first alarm went off the fire sensor, we can identify the area where the fire started," said John Callahan with Peron Development.Callah...
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - New information is shining light on what may have caused a four-alarm fire that tore through the roof of a Bethlehem apartment building.
135 people are now displaced after the fire broke out this afternoon at the Five 10 Flats in Southside Bethlehem.
Now, some questions have been answered.
"We went back and looked at security footage and based on where the first alarm went off the fire sensor, we can identify the area where the fire started," said John Callahan with Peron Development.
Callahan, the former mayor of Bethlehem and who is part of the development group that built the apartments, says a resident may have caused the fire.
"He was unfortunately smoking on the rooftop deck and put his cigarette out in a planter, and it smoldered and smoldered and ultimately led to the fire," Callahan said.
A fire restoration company is starting to go through the building to assess the damage but there is no timeline of when everyone will be able to go back.
"I feel for the people. that's really it. I will tell you, as a former mayor, I was really proud how Bethlehem stepped up today," he added.
People were outside waiting to be allowed in to gather some of their belongings.
"Yes, things are wet, clothes are wet, laundry's wet, floor is completely soaked. And there's almost not much to grab, but it's nice they're letting us get those essential documents," explained Chesca Vasilio, a resident on fourth floor.
Even though people are displaced and items are damaged, residents say the important thing is that no one was hurt and that the community came together to help. Country Club Brewing had free food for those who live there.
"We love the community. The community supports us, and we wanted to support them
going through this horrible tragedy. We knew they needed a place to eat," added Derek Wallen with Country Club Brewing.
Fire officials continue their investigation to determine the official cause of the fire.
Love them or hate them, those marshmallow Peeps that come in blindingly bright colors and an array of flavors are inescapable around the Easter holiday.Millions are made daily in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, by Just Born Quality Confections, a family-owned candy manufacturer that also churns out Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike fruit chews and Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews.Peeps is Just Born...
Love them or hate them, those marshmallow Peeps that come in blindingly bright colors and an array of flavors are inescapable around the Easter holiday.
Millions are made daily in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, by Just Born Quality Confections, a family-owned candy manufacturer that also churns out Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike fruit chews and Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews.
Peeps is Just Born’s most recognizable brand and one of a handful of candies that evoke strong reactions — good and bad. Some say an Easter basket isn’t complete without Peeps while others deride them as being indestructible. Some use them in recipes or even artwork.
“Even if you’re not usually one to gravitate to eating the Peeps, there’s always so many other fun ways to include them in your celebrations,” said Caitlin Servian, brand manager for Peeps.
On average, about 5.5 million are made each day.
That adds up to 2 billion a year — or roughly 6 Peeps for every man, woman and child across the U.S.
First hatched in yellow, the sugary chicks and bunnies come in nine colors for this Easter season, including pink, blue and lavender. And there are even more flavors — 14 for Easter — from cookies and cream, to fruit punch and sour watermelon. The varieties and colors vary throughout the year with different holiday seasons.
Before the early 1950s, making the candies by hand took 27 hours.
Bob Born, who became known as the “Father of Peeps,” came up with a way to speed up the process. He and a company engineer designed a machine to make them in less than six minutes. The same process is used today.
The main ingredients — sugar, corn syrup and gelatin — are cooked and combined to create marshmallows, which are then shaped and sent through a “sugar shower.”
A whopping 400 pounds (181 kilograms) of sugar is used per batch for Peeps’ colored sugars.
Freshly made Peeps — each chick weighs one-third of an ounce — then move along a conveyor so that they can cool before being packaged.
BANGOR, Pa. — The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touched down in Northampton County on Tuesday afternoon.Social media erupted with photos and video of what appeared to be a funnel cloud."Several videos received via social media confirm a tornado occurred near Route 191 south of Bangor earlier this afternoon," said a public information statement ...
BANGOR, Pa. — The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touched down in Northampton County on Tuesday afternoon.
Social media erupted with photos and video of what appeared to be a funnel cloud.
"Several videos received via social media confirm a tornado occurred near Route 191 south of Bangor earlier this afternoon," said a public information statement from the weather service in Mount Holly, N.J.
The weather service had issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Lehigh Valley lasting until 8 p.m.
It later issued a tornado warning at 3:58 p.m. for East Stroudsburg, Stroudsburg and Bangor lasting until 4:30 p.m.
The warning said the radar indicated a tornado and quarter-sized hail possible.
Videos posted to the Facebook group Slate Belt Chatter show a funnel cloud rotating and descending toward the ground.
"A storm damage assessment will be needed and the results of this assessment will be provided later this week," the weather service statement says.
Tornadoes are classified by the Enhanced Fujita scale, which breaks them into the following categories:
On Sunday, the National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes — both landspout tornadoes — touched down over a half-hour away from the Lehigh Valley in Mohrsville and Shoemakersville in Berks County.
Additional details are not yet available that would help classify the tornado in Bangor, a weather service meteorologist said Tuesday evening.
"We don't have an estimate," the meteorologist said. "We've not done an assessment yet. Once the assessment is done, then we'll have an assessment on the wind speed. We don't know when that will be."
Other posts showed hail in Bangor and nearby areas.
The weather service wrote on X earlier asking residents to pass along reports of hail/wind damage by replying to the post.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Crews rushed to the scene of a fire at a South Bethlehem apartment building this afternoon.Firefighters were dispatched to the Five 10 Flats in the 500 block of E. Third Street around 1:30 p.m. Friday.Initial emergency dispatches called for heavy fire coming from the roof.Thick, billowing black smoke and ferocious flames greeted firefighters when they pulled up on the scene."We had a fire on the roof when we arrived. Because of the wind, it spread quickly across the entire roof. Went up to a ...
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Crews rushed to the scene of a fire at a South Bethlehem apartment building this afternoon.
Firefighters were dispatched to the Five 10 Flats in the 500 block of E. Third Street around 1:30 p.m. Friday.
Initial emergency dispatches called for heavy fire coming from the roof.
Thick, billowing black smoke and ferocious flames greeted firefighters when they pulled up on the scene.
"We had a fire on the roof when we arrived. Because of the wind, it spread quickly across the entire roof. Went up to a fourth alarm fire. We had to call in multiple resources to help us," said Assistant Chief Anthony Prelitz.
The plume of smoke could be seen miles away as fire crews worked to battle the flames. Residents of the 95-unit building stood on the sidewalk watching in disbelief.
Megan Purington lives on the third floor. She says when the fire alarms went off, residents used the stairs to evacuate.
"Like cops saying, 'get out, get out' and I look and there is flames on top of the building and it just spread," she recalled.
Peyton Richter is Purrington's neighbor.
"So, they immediately shuttled us over across the street, away from the danger, and we've kind of been here ever since," Peyton said.
In total, 135 people were displaced, with many watching as firefighters worked to contain the fire, hoping their pets left inside the building were ok.
The fire also impacted all of the shops on the ground floor. Nearby businesses turned out to check on their neighbors and give firefighters water.
"Our intention was to make sure that everyone was good, which is another reason why we came down to serve these men and women who are just putting their lives on the line for us," said Michael Williams.
Former Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, who now works with the development company that constructed the Five 10 Flats apartment complex, told 69 News they have a video of a man extinguishing a cigarette into a planter on the rooftop deck.
He says they sent the video to the Bethlehem Fire Department and they will use it as they conduct their investigation.
Callahan says they plan to make repairs and get the apartment building back to its original state as soon as possible.
The Red Cross confirmed they are assisting displaced residents.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will speak in Philadelphia on Thursday at a May Day rally at City Hall along with labor unions, immigrant rights groups and other organizations.May 1 is known as International Workers Day and is a national holiday in many countries. In the U.S., we ...
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will speak in Philadelphia on Thursday at a May Day rally at City Hall along with labor unions, immigrant rights groups and other organizations.
May 1 is known as International Workers Day and is a national holiday in many countries. In the U.S., we celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday in September.
The Philadelphia chapter of the AFL-CIO says Thursday's rally is called "For the Workers, Not the Billionaires May Day Rally."
Speakers will discuss the importance of Social Security benefits, healh care and other services they say are under attack.
Sanders, the Senate's longest-serving independent, has been crisscrossing the U.S. on weekends for his "Fighting Oligarchy" tour, with Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joining him on several occasions. Sanders shared the message from that tour on stage at the Coachella music festival and then introduced the musician Clairo.
The Philadelphia rally is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the north apron of City Hall.
The city of Philadelphia's Office of Special Events posted a notice Wednesday warning residents that roads around City Hall will be closed.
These streets will close around 3:15 p.m. until around 6 p.m. for the rally:
These streets, and their cross streets, will close for the march from around 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.:
Other streets may close "based on conditions and public safety considerations," the city said.
Several streets in the area will have temporary no stopping/no parking signs as well, and vehicles parked in these locations will be towed if they're not moved in time.
There will also be detours on these SEPTA bus routes: 4, 16, 17, 31, 32, 33, 38, 44, 48, 62, 124, and 125 from about 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. More information is available on SEPTA's status page and the @SEPTA account on X.
The Keystone State will keep feeling the Bern through the weekend as Sanders is set to make two more appearances on the "Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here" tour.
Democratic Rep. Chris DeLuzio, who represents Beaver County and part of Allegheny County in western Pennsylvania, will appear with Sanders at both rallies.
On Friday night, Sanders and DeLuzio will be at Harrisburg's Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex for a 6 p.m. event. Prior to the speeches, Marissa Paternoster of the New Jersey-based band Screaming Females will perform, followed by Havertown native Alex G.
On Saturday, Sanders and DeLuzio will be at Lehigh University in Bethlehem for a 1 p.m. event. Musical performances start at 11:30 a.m. with Augusta Koch of the former Philadelphia band Cayetana, followed by Scranton-based band The Menzingers.
Joe Brandt has been a digital content producer for CBS News Philadelphia since 2022. He is a Temple University graduate and was born and raised in Pitman, NJ.
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