5 injured, several displaced after fire damages homes in Allentown, Pennsylvania
A fire in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Thursday night left several injured and displaced at least five families.
The fire broke out around 4:30 p.m. Thursday on the 700 block of Cedar Street, according to the Allentown Fire Department.
At least four rowhomes have been damaged, and dozens of firefighters have responded to the blaze.
Allentown Fire Captain Mike Pychinka says freezing temperatures made treating the area difficult.
"You have to watch for slip hazards, and it's not easy when guys are up on the roof working and it's cold like this and everything is freezing up," Pychinka said.
Five people — including three firefighters — were taken to the hospital. The firefighters are expected to be OK, but the residents' conditions were not clear.
Chopper 3 was overhead Thursday around 6:30 p.m.
Brian Onofre lives down the street and went to check on a friend.
"As I went down there, I could feel the heat," Onofre said. "I had to cover my face because of the smoke."
Jariel Lopez lives across the street and worked with his family to help others who had to evacuate.
"We tried to do our best to start giving hoodies out," Lopez said. "Kids were out with no socks. We tried to get them socks."
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
