ASHLAND, Pa. — The back walls and roofs of at least two row homes here in Ashland were left charred and burned through after a fire broke out in the 400 hundred block of Centre Street around 2:30 p.m.
The Ashland Fire Chief says flames broke out in the rear of a row home and then spread to the two others.
The first two row homes have significant damage to their roofs and rear sides.
Nevertheless, crews were able to get the fire out before it could do a lot of damage to the third.
"We had heavy fire between 426 and 424 in the rear. The fire eventually jumped to the next two buildings," said Chief Philip Groody of Ashland Fire Department. "With a strong mutual aid and lots of hard work, we were able to keep it to the rear and stop it from taking too many buildings."
Unfortunately, the chief says people staying in all three row homes will not be able to return home due to the damage.
Lee Phillips lives in the third row home and was home when the fire broke out two doors down.
"I could start smelling smoke, and I saw people running up the street. So I knew something was up. When I came out, I saw the house on the corner, that was where it started, totally enflamed," Phillips said. "Then it spread to the second house, the roof caught on fire."
The chief says no firefighters were injured fighting the blaze.
However, a person on the street watching the fire was injured after coming into contact with a fire hose.
The fire chief says 16 people in total are displaced, and the Red Cross is offering assistance.
"We're going to give the families lodging, food, and money for clothing to get back on their feet," said Patricia Daley of the Red Cross.
A state police fire marshal was on scene to investigate the cause of the fire.
