Nine Nazareth residents displaced by severe fire - UPDATE

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Nine people from five families were displaced after three row homes were destroyed by a fire this afternoon in Nazareth, according to the borough fire chief and the American Red Cross of the Lehigh Valley.

The fire started around 2 o’clock at 40 N. Green St. and spread to 38 and 36 N. Green, according to Vigilance Hose Co. No. 1 Chief Dan Keenhold.

Neighbor Jim Willenbrock said he saw flames rise four to six feet above the roof at 40 N. Green St.

“She was blazing,” Keenhold said.

It took 60 firefighters roughly 40 minutes to fully to put out the blaze, according to Keenhold.

Upper Nazareth Township Fire Chief Keith Garrity praised firefighters from preventing the fire from spreading to 34 and 32 N. Green St., the last two homes in the row of five.

Chuck Arthur, who lived at 38 N. Green St., said he was coming home from work at Frito Lay when he found out about the fire.

"I drove up, saw yellow hoses and freaked out," he said.

He said his first thought was his cat, Krissy, which was saved by firefighters.

"She is not a happy camper," he said of the 6-year-old feline safely tucked away in the backseat of his truck.

Arthur lives in the home by himself but his two children stay there on the weekends. He said he would move in with his girlfriend for the time being.

Nazareth fire on North Green Street Nazareth fire on North Green Street Eight people were displaced after three row homes on North Green Street in Nazareth were destroyed by a fire Tuesday. Express-Times Photo | DAN CLERICO Watch video
According to the Red Cross: two parents and a child live at 40 N. Green St., an adult lives at 36 N. Green St., an adult lives at 34 N. Green St. and an adult and two children live at 32 N. Green St.

The Red Cross provided assistance with lodging, clothing, food, shoes and toiletry items for one family. Four displaced families elected to stay with relatives or friends and assistance for them included included food, clothing and toiletry items.

All five homes are rentals, owned by Orwig Property Management, according to Jenna Orwig, the property manager and co-owner.

Siding was damaged at 42 N. Green St., a detached home next to the row homes.

Willenbrock said witnesses were relieved the fire didn’t spread further. He said everyone who was watching the fire burn feared trees nearby would burn.

Two fires set at 34 N. Green Street in September are being investigated as arsons.

Gas cans were visible behind police caution tape near the fire scene.

The cause of today’s fire is undetermined, Keenhold said. The fire remains under investigation.

Firefighters assisted from Nazareth, Hecktown, Bath, Tatamy and Bushkill, Upper Nazareth, Palmer and Plainfield townships.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/nazareth/index.ssf/2012/03/nazareth_house_severely_damage.html