Firefighters Battle 4-Alarm Apartment Blaze In Bucks County; 4 Injured
LEVITTOWN, Pa., (CBS) – Four people, including two firefighters, were hospitalized as fire crews battled a four-alarm apartment complex fire in Bucks County Friday night.
The incident was reported at about 9 p.m. at the Racquet Club Apartments & Townhomes, located at the 1900 block of Veterans Highway in Levittown.
Chopper 3 HD was over the scene as fire crews responded to the blaze.
"It was initially difficult getting man power for the amount of fire that they had that was showing. Once we got enough hose - that we got dropped into the streets - and we got the water resources down here, then we were able to get a good handle on the fire. At this point we believe all of the apartment units are destroyed," said Jim McGuire, Middletown Township Fire Marshall.
Residents say they had just seconds to get out as flames erupted.
"They were shooting out of the balcony. Then all of a sudden, shooting out of the windows, and it just spread. I was knocking on doors trying to get people out. It's crazy. It's crazy," said resident Eliseo Alvarez.
Four people were injured in the fire. One victim was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center. The other victim was taken to Aria Health Bucks County Campus. The firefighters were taken to area hospital's where they are being treated for heat exhaustion.
The extent of their injuries are unknown at this time.
Officials say the fire was placed under control at about 11:25 p.m. They say the fire was accidental.
The American Red Cross is on scene and meeting with residents at the leasing office by the pool and will be providing food, shelter and clothing to any of those residents who need them.. They are urging all displaced residents to meet with them.
The Red Cross says they are told 48 units have been affected, leaving approximately 100 people without a home. They set up a shelter at the Snyder-Girotti Elementary School in Bristol Borough.
Red Cross partner Red Paw is also on scene to assist with pets of those residents who are displaced.
The best way to assist the Red Cross response is to make a financial donation by going online to redcrossphilly.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS and making a donation to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter, or by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
