There Was a Fire in Jim Thorpe (But Everything's Okay Now)
Published in Nate’s Jim Thorpe Blog
Category: Local News & Updates
TL;DR:
- There was a fire downtown in Jim Thorpe in April 2025
- It looked bad at first, but the damage was limited
- Nobody was seriously hurt
- Most businesses are still open as usual
What Happened
On April 22, 2025, smoke started coming out of one of the buildings on Broadway in downtown Jim Thorpe. People panicked a little — understandably — because the town is full of old, historic buildings and wood.
Emergency crews responded fast. Fire trucks were on-site within minutes, and the whole block was cleared. It looked dramatic, and the smoke was real, but it didn’t turn into what it could’ve been.
What Was Affected
There was some damage to one building — mostly smoke-related. The fire didn’t spread to the rest of the block. Businesses nearby had to shut down for a few hours while everything got checked out, but by the next day, most of them were back open like nothing happened.
Tourists were back eating donuts and drinking wine slushies within 24 hours. Jim Thorpe doesn’t quit.
How the Town Responded
People showed up to help. The fire department handled it. Local shop owners were checking on each other within the hour. Tourists asked if they should leave — they didn’t have to. Everything settled fast.
Jim Thorpe is small, but it’s solid. It takes more than one smoky afternoon to shut this place down.
If You're Visiting Soon
You’re good. Broadway is open. Shops are open. No delays, no detours.
If you heard about the fire and were thinking about canceling your trip — don’t. Jim Thorpe is still here. Still weird. Still fun.