By Gina Varamo and Tom Quigley
The Eastern Express-Times
PHILLIPSBURG, Pa. — Up to eight people are homeless as a result of a fire Tuesday morning in the first block of Rose Street.
The blaze broke out about 9 a.m. and tore through 67 and 69 Rose St., a twin home. It also damaged steps leading up to a garage apartment behind the homes and damaged a roof at 71 Rose St., town fire Chief Rich Hay said.
The chief said everyone home when the fire broke out escaped safely. Phillipsburg firefighter Thomas Seip suffered a minor head injury while fighting the blaze. He was treated at Warren Hospital and released, Hay said.
Two rabbits in the home at 69 Rose St. were saved and two cats were missing Tuesday night, Hay said. He said there was no evidence found indicating the cats were injured.
The fire started in 67 Rose St., where Donna Lombardo lived with her two children, Hay said. He said he believes a couple and their two children lived in 69 Rose St. and another person lived in the rear apartment.
Jacqueline Drey, of 69 Rose St., said she first noticed the fire when she saw a tree outside her window engulfed in flames.
“There was heavy smoke and fire when we arrived,” Hay said. “There was a partial interior collapse shortly after our arrival.”
The first firefighters arrived about three minutes after the call came in, the chief said.
Firefighters used a ladder truck to help extinguish the flames. It took about two hours to get the fire under control, and some firefighters remained at the blaze until about 3 p.m. A call went out about 7 p.m. for a possible rekindling.
He said it appears the fire was accidental. The precise cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation, Hay said. Hay said efforts are under way to determine why “this fire gained such headway so quickly.”
Hay said the house at 67 Rose St. was gutted from the first floor up to the attic. The house at 69 Rose St. sustained heavy fire damage throughout, he said.
The American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey responded to provide assistance to all those displaced by the fire, the chief said.
Utility services to the two houses and apartment are cut off.
Firefighters from Lopatcong and Pohatcong townships assisted the town fire department.
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