ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The aftermath of Wednesday’s six-alarm fire in Allentown continues to impact the area, with roads still closed and crews remaining on scene.
The first calls started coming in about the fire at the old furniture factory on Front Street just after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday night.
The Allentown Fire Department says the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but as that work continues, city officials are also turning their attention to cleanup.
+3
‘Ashes coming from the sky’: Massive fire at former Allentown factory injures firefighter, displaces families
Allentown managing director Frank Kane returned to the scene of Wednesday’s fire, surveying the damage and commending firefighters for preventing the six-alarm fire from spreading even further.
+13
PHOTOS: Blaze tears through former Allentown furniture factory
“We had no loss of life and no injury to the general public,” Kane said. “We had one firefighter that was treated for minor injuries and released. That’s an amazing success.”
The city is turning its attention to cleanup efforts.
The heavily damaged building will be demolished once the Allentown Fire Department determines the area is safe.
Kane says only a small number of nearby homes were impacted by the fire.
“There’s a small section of about seven residences where people are not allowed back,” Kane said. “There’s significant damage. Our building inspectors are looking at those properties right now and making sure they’re safe to enter or seeing if they can be repaired.”
Kane also says utility crews have been working tirelessly to restore power.
“About 3,400 residences were affected by a power outage. Most of that power has been restored,” Kane said.
Federal officials with ATF have also joined the investigation.