POTTSVILLE, Pa. — UPDATE: State police say that the fire is under arson investigation.
Well into the evening, fire crews remained working on Main Street in Norwegian Township after a fire broke out hours before.
Fire crews from neighboring areas, including Pottsville, responded to that fire call just before 3 p.m. at a double-block home in the area known as Seltzer,
Theresa Ernst lives at 314 Main Street, the first home in that double block.
"Then I heard a hissing noise and went out to the kitchen. I turned around came back and I looked out my kitchen window and there was this haze at my window and I went and opened the door and flames shot out," Ernst said. "As soon as I saw the flames, I just grabbed my phone and started 911 and started screaming."
"We had heavy fire in the back of the building. We had fire blowing out the front of the building of the first two houses. Wind was blowing pretty heavily," explained Pottsville Fire Chief Jim Misstishin.
Fire crews were already dealing with flames and heavy smoke being driven by heavy winds when an explosion caused the fire to jump to the double block next door.
"About a half-hour later then there was explosions. They were colorful so we're going to guess it was fireworks," said Bill Holley, Seltzer Hose Company.
Then fire officials say there was an issue with water pressure in the hydrants, so water had to be trucked in all night.
And on top of all that, as fire crews battled the blaze that was engulfing two double block homes they watch as flames moved towards the Seltzer Hose Company's firehouse next door.
That fire was brought under control without much damage to the firehouse which crews say is still functioning.
Officials say two dogs were killed in the fire but no injuries were reported.
As for Theresa Ernst, she lost her home and everything in it right before the holidays.
"I just put my Christmas tree up today. I did even to decorate it," she said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A GoFundMe has been created for fire victim Theresa Ernst. Click the link below to help.
