Allentown firefighters Wednesday evening are responding to a massive blaze at a former factory near the city’s riverfront.
The fire was reported on North Front Street, in the area of Gordon Street, at 8:41 p.m. and has since gone to six-alarms, according to Lehigh County 911 dispatch and emergency radio dispatches.
Photos showed the building on fire was the former American Atelier factory at 249 N. Front Street.
The blaze sent a plume of thick black smoke into the air, which was captured in photos taken from miles away.
Allentown fire officials are requesting residents who live in that general area to shelter in place due to the heavy smoke. Residents who live on the 300 block of Front Street are asked to exit their properties through their backyards, according to a message from Capt. Joshua Brubaker.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.