LACKAWANNA — Residents in the Bethlehem Park area are being evacuated due to concerns of air quality due to the ongoing fire at Republic Steel — formerly Bethlehem Steel — as well as the high winds in the area.
Police and fire officials are going door to door in the community to ensure residents safety and assist in their temporary relocation if need be. Lackawanna High School and the Lackawanna Senior Center, both on Martin Road. Family pets will not be permitted at the publicly provided shelter.
No one will be forced to leave their home if they refuse, but officials are suggesting that particles in the air make the area potentially unsafe and strongly suggest residents leave until the air quality is safe.
Lackawanna Mayor Geoffrey M. Szymanski said he can’t say how long the evacuation request will be in place, saying it could be anywhere from a few hours to several days.
Szymanski was joined this morning by Gov. Andrew Cuomo at the fire scene shortly before the decision was made to declare the state of emergency and request the neighborhood evacuation.
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