EASTON, Pa. — A blaze that broke out on Memorial Day in the 900 block of Ferry Street in Easton burned more than four hours and went to six alarms before it was declared under control, city Fire Chief Henry Hennings said Thursday.
The spread of the fire was attributed to a lack of fire walls between properties constructed in 1900, according to a release from Hennings.
The homes shared a common wall of wood frame construction with plaster and lathe, or drywall, which let the fire advance rapidly, Hennings said.
- Easton Fire Chief Henry Hennings released more details on the Memorial Day fire that burned more than four hours
- The blaze damaged 15 homes and displaced 44 individuals
- The spread of the fire was attributed to a lack of fire walls between properties constructed in 1900
Firefighters were dispatched at 3:42 p.m. May 29 to 911 Ferry St. and arrived within two minutes, where they encountered fire showing from three, three-story dwellings, according to a statement from Hennings.
Hennings said in the release that 15 homes were damaged and 44 individuals were displaced.
Red Cross Regional Communications Manager Nicole Roschella confirmed that number, saying initial estimates of the approximate number of residents impacted was around 60 on Monday.
"60 was the original number. As we make our way through getting in contact with all of the residents, that’s how we’re at 44," Roschella said.
The properties that were damaged included: 909, 911, 913, 915, 917, 919, 921, 923, 923 ½, 925, 927, 929, 931, 933 and 935 Ferry St.
Deputy Chief Chad Gruver is leading the investigation. As of Thursday, the origin of the blaze was still unknown, according to the release.
In the release, Hennings thanked everyone who assisted the Easton Fire Department at the scene.
Mutual aid included 27 fire departments from Northampton County, six departments from Lehigh County, one department from Bucks County, one department from Montgomery County and four from Warren County, New Jersey.
Easton and Suburban EMS and the Easton Police Department also assisted, along with five other agencies and three utility companies.
According to a release from United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, it and the Greater Easton Development Project have established the Ferry Street Fire Fund to help support the residents displaced.
Both groups have teamed up with other local organizations, including the Lehigh Conference of Churches, Third Street Alliance for Women and Children and others to provide fundraising and coordinate relief efforts.