MERCERSBURG, Pa - A Mercersburg man who leapt from a burning South Main Street building Friday was upgraded to good condition Sunday morning at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, a spokeswoman said.
William Hamilton, whose age was not released, of 5 Main St. in Mercersburg, was hospitalized after he jumped from the second story of the Carriage House Hotel during a fire that began just after 6 a.m. Friday. Hours after the incident, a hospital spokeswoman said Hamilton was in serious condition.
Hamilton suffered burns to his hands and smoke inhalation, among other injuries, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Police said Friday that the fire likely started in Hamilton's apartment. A spokesman at the Chambersburg barrack could not be reached Sunday for comment on the status of the investigation or the cause of the blaze.
The fire caused approximately $500,000 damage to a multistory brick building that is more than 175 years old. The fire charred the walls and floors inside the building and destroyed much of the roof. Dozens of people from the 16-apartment dwelling were left with no access to their apartments throughout the weekend.
