Nazareth apartment complex fire forces evacuation, nobody injured

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Smoke billowed for several blocks from a fire at a Nazareth apartment complex tonight, but nobody was injured, officials said.

The blaze erupted about 7 o'clock this evening from the 39 Easton Road complex, which officials believe started in a vehicle parked inside a garage.

All residents of the 30-unit complex were evacuated and no one was harmed, said building manager Jenna Orwig.

"Everybody got out safely," she said. "Everyone is OK."

A family of two adults and one infant was displaced from their apartment as a precautionary measure, according to a news release from the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley. The Red Cross provided them with lodging, meals and toiletries.

The fire was mostly contained to the garage, which was rented by Landmark Painting & Wallcoverings for vehicle and supply storage, said Nazareth Emergency Management Director Mike Rinker.

The exact cause and manner of the fire has not yet been identified and an investigation is ongoing, said Nazareth Fire Marshal Eddie Statler.

Rinker said none of the apartments was affected by the fire, although a handful had heavy smoke.

The residents will be allowed to go back to the apartments tonight, Rinker said, although one voluntarily opted not to return right away because she suffers from asthma.

No flames were visible from the outside of the complex and the exterior of the building, which sits next to the Pizza Hut at Easton Road and Broad Street.

But clouds of smoke were visible from several blocks away in all directions, attracting pedestrians and onlookers as dozens of firefighters battled the fire.

A stretch of Broad Street from Easton Road to South Street was closed to traffic and remained closed until at least 9:30.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/nazareth/index.ssf/2011/10/nazareth_apartment_complex_for.html