Nazareth row home fire scene remains secured, blaze under investigation

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

A Nazareth fire that destroyed three row homes Tuesday on Green Street remains under investigation by the borough and Pennsylvania State Police, according to Nazareth police Chief Thomas Trachta.

Trachta confirmed today that no one has been permitted to return to 40 N. Green St., where the blaze started and eventually spread to 38 and 36 N. Green St.

"It's a secured scene. We don't want to call it a crime scene" at this point, Trachta said. "It's secured because we don't know. We're looking into everything."

The fire started about 2 p.m. Tuesday and was brought under control in roughly 40 minutes by about 60 firefighters from several departments, authorities said.

Nine borough residents from five families were displaced, according to the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Trachta said the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal's Office and Nazareth fire marshal are working together to establish the cause and origin of the fire. Trachta said he could not yet say if officials believed the blaze's cause is suspicious.

Trachta had no timeline for the investigation to be complete. He said while officials are investigating the row home blaze, they're also keeping their minds open regarding other fires in the borough. Two North Green Street fires from September 2011 are under investigation as arson, officials have said.

Mayor Fred Daugherty Jr. said he could not comment on the fire specifically because of the ongoing investigation, but said his heart goes out to those who lost valuables in the blaze.

"Those who have suffered loss have my deepest regret and sympathies," Daugherty said this evening.

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