A fire in Allentown, Pennsylvania, left several people injured and displaced at least five families Thursday night.
According to the Allentown Fire Department, a fire broke out in the 700 block of Cedar Street on Thursday around 4:30 p.m.
At least four townhomes were damaged and dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze.
Allentown Fire Chief Mike Pychinka says freezing temperatures made treating the area difficult.
“You have to watch out for slips, and that’s not easy when there are men working on the roof and it’s so cold and everything is freezing,” Pychinka said.
Five people, including three firefighters, were taken to hospital. Firefighters are expected to be OK, but the residents’ conditions were not clear.
Chopper 3 flew overhead on Thursday around 6:30 p.m
CBS News Philadelphia
Brian Onofre lives down the street and went to check on a friend.
“When I went down there, I felt 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 did our best to give out hoodies,” Lopez said. “The children were out without socks. We tried to get socks for them.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
