EASTON, Pa. — GeanPierre Arcos was at home with his father, sister and his sister’s boyfriend when tragedy struck.
Arcos said he was in the attic of his home at 915 Ferry St. when his sister’s boyfriend noticed the smoke and flames at the residence next to theirs.
- Easton Fire Department and city code officials are investigating the cause of a Monday evening fire on the 900 block of Easton's Ferry Street
- The blaze has displaced 61 people, including at least four children, American Red Cross officials said
- Community activists are collecting donations and supplies for the victims
The pair helped the sister and the father out of the building as quickly as possible, then "tried to grab the cats, but then at that point the house was already completely in smoke," Arcos said.
"It was very hot in there, like a sauna. I went to my father's room, by the time by the time I grabbed him, I picked him up, it was too dark. I was barely able to see anything, barely able to breathe."
Arcos and his family were all unharmed, but like so many of those who lost their homes, barely a day later on Tuesday, Arcos still struggled with what happened while trying to make a game plan.
61 people, including children, displaced
According to the Red Cross, 61 people, including four children, were displaced from 16 homes damaged by the blaze.
At the scene of the devastating fire on the 900 block of Easton’s Ferry Street, officials, volunteers and former residents were taking the first steps toward recovery.
Early Tuesday, an Easton Police Department vehicle sat at the edge of 9th and Ferry, just a few yards from one remaining City of Easton Fire Department truck.
Red Cross volunteers, code officials from the city, former residents and neighbors collected in the area to examine the damage.
Arcos and his family were able to find a place to stay thanks to family from New York who helped them book a hotel room in Nazareth.
“We're trying to assess the damage right now, and we're going to go through an investigation of the properties and try to identify what caused the fire. And then from there, we’ll make an assessment on what buildings are in most need of attention and then come up with a strategic plan on how to take care of everything."Easton Chief Code Administrator Sharbel Koorie
But others in need of shelter have been moved to Paxinosa Elementary School for the time being.
Houses from 911 to 935 appeared to suffer substantial damage and power loss, though 937 seemed subject only to smoke damage.
“What happened yesterday was our crews were dispatched to a dwelling fire. When they arrived, they found three buildings well involved," Easton Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Chad Gruver said.
"We had a heavy wind condition, which led to the spread of the fire down the rest of the row. And we just had to call in a lot of departments to help out with trying to contain the fire and then put out what was what was already on fire.”
Searching for a cause
Gruver said investigators are trying to narrow down an area of origin and search for causes, though as of Tuesday morning, nothing is certain.
“We started basically backward — you find all potential ignition sources and start eliminating them," Gruver said.
"So that's what we're doing to the best of our ability, but because of the extent of damage, accessibility, it kind of hinders our approach, but we're still trying to figure things out as best we can."
Easton Chief Code Administrator Sharbel Koorie said 16 properties experienced varying degrees of damage, “but 15 of them are definitely going to stay closed.”
“We're trying to assess the damage right now, and we're going to go through an investigation of the properties and try to identify what caused the fire," Koorie said.
"And then from there, we’ll make an assessment on what buildings are in most need of attention and then come up with a strategic plan on how to take care of everything."
Assisting neighbors
West Ward WISE’s Lance Wheeler, a well-known activist in Easton, was on the street offering assistance to those in need, and taking contributions from neighbors and other advocates.
“We had a devastating loss, a tragic loss last night with the 900 block of Ferry,” Wheeler said. “Twelve homes went up in flames. "I'm here today to open up our drive donation for food. I'll be cooking and also asking people to drop off any kind of gift cards, or any kind of things that could help their community or people in need.
"We have about 60 people displaced. My biggest thing is getting into action now.”
“Those kinds of things would be really helpful for folks, and if people want to donate, Red Cross is accepting donations.”Easton Planning Commission Chairman Ken Greene
Just a few yards away from Ferry Street, Wheeler, Planning Commission Chairman Ken Greene and City Councilwoman Taiba Sultana were manning tables of food and coffee, accepting donations of clothing and other essentials and engaging with the local community.
Greene and the others noted they will be at the scene all day, helping to gather cash and gift cards to support the individuals and families who lost homes.
“Those kinds of things would be really helpful for folks, and if people want to donate, Red Cross is accepting donations,” Greene said.
