YORK -
An entire block of rowhomes in York City is demolished by fire. The fire broke out around 3 p.m. yesterday and crews spent more than 13 hours battling the flames. In all, at least 57 people are left looking for a place to stay. Many of the residents in the area, coming back to get a first hand look at what is left. Unfortunately, they are not coming back to find much. Fifteen homes in all, damaged and many destroyed by this intense fire.
The fire was so intense crews spent the morning knocking down 5 homes in the middle of the 700 block of Chestnut Street. Fire crews saying they needed to get to fire that was still burning behind and under much of the rubble. The fire started around 3 p.m. yesterday afternoon and burned for hours. In all, 15 homes damaged and at least 57 people put out. Eyewitnesses saying the fire seemed to spread in just minutes. Now, all that is left is to try and pick up the pieces.
"Everything is gone. We have nothing anymore. I thank god I was out doing laundry so my kids and i have a little bit of clothes," said fire victim Jennifer Ness who lives at 731 Chestnut Street.
Amazingly no civilians were injured. Three firefighters sustained minor injuries and are expected to be ok.
The fire operations ended about 7 a.m. Much of this will now be turned over to the homeowners. They will have to bring contractors in to clean up much of the mess and figure out what to do next.
As far as a cause, the fire chief says it is too early to tell.
The Red Cross has helped 24 families, says Victoria Connor, director of communications and public support for the York-Adams Chapter of the American Red Cross. 35 of those they have assisted are adults, and 24 are children.
The Red Cross is looking for an organization to volunteer as a collection point for donations. Please call 717-845-2751 if your group is interested.
Victims can receive help starting at 1 p.m. at the York Red Cross office, located at 724 South George Street.
The fire was so intense crews spent the morning knocking down 5 homes in the middle of the 700 block of Chestnut Street. Fire crews saying they needed to get to fire that was still burning behind and under much of the rubble. The fire started around 3 p.m. yesterday afternoon and burned for hours. In all, 15 homes damaged and at least 57 people put out. Eyewitnesses saying the fire seemed to spread in just minutes. Now, all that is left is to try and pick up the pieces.
"Everything is gone. We have nothing anymore. I thank god I was out doing laundry so my kids and i have a little bit of clothes," said fire victim Jennifer Ness who lives at 731 Chestnut Street.
Amazingly no civilians were injured. Three firefighters sustained minor injuries and are expected to be ok.
The fire operations ended about 7 a.m. Much of this will now be turned over to the homeowners. They will have to bring contractors in to clean up much of the mess and figure out what to do next.
As far as a cause, the fire chief says it is too early to tell.
The Red Cross has helped 24 families, says Victoria Connor, director of communications and public support for the York-Adams Chapter of the American Red Cross. 35 of those they have assisted are adults, and 24 are children.
The Red Cross is looking for an organization to volunteer as a collection point for donations. Please call 717-845-2751 if your group is interested.
Victims can receive help starting at 1 p.m. at the York Red Cross office, located at 724 South George Street.
