ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Smoke alarms saved lives, Allentown fire officials said Monday, hours after a three-alarm blaze damaged numerous structures and displaced dozens of residents.
Thirty-eight people — 28 adults and 10 children — were being aided by the American Red Cross after the blaze on South Jefferson Street near West Maple Street.
Firefighters were dispatched just before midnight and the fire went to a third alarm, according to the Allentown Fire Department.
"Despite a large amount of smoke, high heat and limited visibility, [firefighters] made an aggressive attack on the fire while conducting search-and-rescue efforts throughout the interior to confirm all occupants had safely evacuated," Deputy Fire Chief Christian P. Williams said in a release.
"Despite a large amount of smoke, high heat and limited visibility, [firefighters] made an aggressive attack on the fire while conducting search-and-rescue efforts throughout the interior to confirm all occupants had safely evacuated."Deputy Fire Chief Christian P. Williams
Williams said conditions inside the buildings deteriorated, forcing firefighters to vacate and continue an exterior attack on the blaze.
Six homes were damaged and adjoining structures suffered smoke and water damage, he said.
At the scene, Williams later confirmed eight homes damaged in all, including seven in the first block of South Jefferson.
Five homes in the middle of the block sustained damage, some significant, he said, but all were structurally sound except for a bulging rear wall. That wall was scheduled to be knocked down so firefighters could finish off hotspots Monday afternoon.
One resident was taken to the hospital for a non-life-threatening medical issue, while all others escaped unharmed, he said.
One firefighter also was treated for a minor injury and released.
33 listed as 'displaced'
The fire department said 33 people were displaced — 24 adults and nine kids.
The Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross said no shelter is set up for those affected by the blaze.
"The Red Cross is working with each family individually to address their urgent needs and provide resources for food, shelter, health services, emotional support and other assistance."Red Cross Regional Communications Manager Cristina Maisel
"The Red Cross is working with each family individually to address their urgent needs and provide resources for food, shelter, health services, emotional support and other assistance," Regional Communications Manager Cristina Maisel said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Allentown building code official Joseph Franzone said it appears the fire started in the back of 30 S. Jefferson St., the home in the middle of the block, though Williams said it's too soon to confirm where and how the fire started.
"Residents evacuated their homes without help from firefighters after hearing smoke alarms when the fire started," Williams said.
He added that the fire was "a good reminder (for residents) to make sure their smoke detectors are working."
The latest in a string of fires
It is the latest in a number of devastating row home and apartment fires in the city this year, including a three-alarm blaze that gutted four rowhomes and displaced 36 residents on North Seventh Street on April 30.
On July 8, firefighters battled another three-alarm blaze that tore through a residential building near 12th and Hamilton Streets.
A few weeks later, at least five homes were damaged when a fire broke out in rowhomes in the 400 block of North 16th Street.
At least five homes were uninhabitable because of damage after that blaze. At least 11 of those people received assistance from the American Red Cross.
