ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Wednesday night’s fire was so massive, firefighters from across our region were called in to extinguish it.

69 News reporter Amelia Sack has more details on the manpower it took to contain this inferno. 

The old Atelier Furniture Factory went up in flames Wednesday night on Front Street in Allentown, prompting a large response from local first responders.

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“We got on scene and we established a water supply and started an offensive attack on the large structure behind us,” said Jon Steed, assistant fire chief of the Allentown Fire Department. 

The blaze was so intense, it was called to six alarms.

“It’s very unusual for it to go that high. With the size of the building, with the fuel load that was in the building, it was difficult to come under control quickly, required a tremendous amount of water supply and manpower to put the stop on it,” Steed said. 

200 firefighters from 21 departments across the region, EMS, and other agencies worked through the night to fight the fire and keep things under control.

“The hard work and dedication of our team and the members that came out to assist us from all over the county and beyond the county was extraordinary so we’re very thankful to them for that effort,” said Steed. 

The fire forced people from their homes, people from seven houses are currently displaced.

The Red Cross is helping, and local community groups are also stepping up.

The Champion Center on Linden Street has been providing food, water, and a place for families to find resources as they wait to go back home.

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“Let’s find out what the need is, let’s find out who’s been affected the most, and then let’s contact some of the community leaders that also have information,” said Gee Rendon, executive director of the Champion Center. 

The following agencies provided critical mutual aid support: 

Catasauqua FD

Walnutport FD

Slatington FD

Cetronia FD

Lower Macungie FD

Whitehall FD

Emmaus FD

Western Salisbury FD

Bangor Township FD

Greenawalds FD

Upper Salisbury FD

Weisenberg FD

Emerald FD

New Tripoli FD

Fountain Hill FD

Laurys Station FD

Schnecksville FD

Upper Macungie FD

Eastern Salisbury FD

City of Bethlehem FD

Han-Le-Co FD

Additional Supporting Agencies

Allentown Police Department

Allentown Building Standards & Safety

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)

City of Philadelphia Fire Marshal’s Office

Allentown EMS

Macungie EMS

North Penn Goodwill