EASTON, Pa. — City fire officials are investigating what sparked a three-alarm fire early Friday that displaced more than a dozen people.
Fire Marshal Chad Gruver said crews were summoned to 1101 Lehigh St. around 1 a.m. to find flames fully engulfing the building and spreading to surrounding properties.
Firefighters had the blaze under control by approximately 3 a.m. and had mostly knocked it down by about 5 a.m., Gruver said, though he was unsure of the exact times late Friday morning.
The structure at 1101 Lehigh St. is a mixed-use building with A-Z Convenience on the ground floor and apartments above it and behind it. Due to the nature of the building's design and construction, firefighters were still on scene as of 11 a.m. to ensure any potential remaining embers didn't reignite the building, Gruver said.
"I can't rule it out because there were fireworks being fired in that area."Chad Gruver, Easton fire marshal
The fire also spread to 1103 and 1105 Lehigh St., and crews had to clear other nearby buildings due to smoke damage and firefighter activity. More than 18 people are displaced, he said, including people from the surrounding homes.
All residents were able to escape the flames, Gruver said. One person was struck in the head by a falling power line while rushing out of their home, but he declined medical treatment, Gruver said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but preliminary findings do not suggest anything suspicious, Gruver said. It's possible that Fourth of July celebrations may have sparked the fire, he said.
"I can't rule it out because there were fireworks being fired in that area," Gruver said.
