SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP -- Flames destroyed a double block home and an attached garage in Schuylkill County.
Fire tore through the home near Tamaqua around 6 p.m. Sunday.
"It's huge. It escalated quickly," said neighbor Cameron Mankovitch.
"All we seen was flames and we ran down here," said neighbor Cynthia Alba.
Ida and Pete Inama lost their home in the community known as Mary D. So has Jeremy Denning and his wife Jodie along with their eight-year-old daughter and five-year-old son. Everyone was able to make it out okay, but the homes are a total loss.
People in the area say they see this all the time on TV, but never in their neighborhood.
"It's a small community. We haven't had a fire here in years," Alba said.
It took multiple fire crews and lots of water to get the fire under control, but the damage was already done. The double home was destroyed.
Now all that's left is for the community to pick up the pieces and stand by some of their own.
"They just lost their home, especially around Christmas time, so any donations will be very, very appreciated," said township supervisor Charles Fayash.
Any donations, including clothing or money, are being accepted at the Schuykill Township municipal building on Walnut Street.
Fire officials are still trying to piece together exactly what caused this devastating fire.
