ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — An explosion rocked an Allentown, Pennsylvania neighborhood causing multiple homes to go up in flames early Sunday morning.<\/p>\n
Neighbors called 911 to report a home on the 300 block of West Green Street had exploded around 3:20 a.m.<\/p>\n
When fire crews arrived, they found heavy flames shooting from a home around the corner on the 700 block of North Fountain Street.<\/p>\n
“I heard something like a truck, something falling out of a truck, and I see all the neighbors looking out and you see the flames come out,” said neighbor Sid McKenzie.<\/p>\n
A resident of Fountain Street in Allentown captures the moments after a house explodes and collapses, October 20, 2019<\/p>\n
“We felt the shake and everything when the explosion went. I came out got my kids, got my step kids ready and we went outside,” said resident Jonatan Villanueva.<\/p>\n
The house and a neighboring home were engulfed by fire, and the flames were quickly spreading to other neighboring homes on the block.<\/p>\n
Villanueva recorded cell phone video as the flames consumed 10 homes.<\/p>\n
“I thought my house would catch on fire cause I got a tree in the back,” he added.<\/p>\n
Police went door-to-door evacuating residents.<\/p>\n
Neighbor speaks to Action News following explosion and subsequent fire: Katie Katro reports on Action News Mornings, October 20, 2019<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Other viewer video captured the panic of some residents shortly after the fire started.<\/p>\n
“Get mom up. Get out of the house. There’s a fire, get up!” could be heard in the recording.<\/p>\n
The fire continued to burn for several hours. Flames could be seen shooting through the thick black smoke, billowing above the homes as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.<\/p>\n
Allentown Fire Chief James weir addresses media following explosion, large fire: as seen on Action News Mornings, October 20, 2019<\/p>\n
The Red Cross says they are providing emergency assistance for a dozen displaced families, about 44 people. Eight of those families were affected by the fire. An additional four families are temporarily displaced during demolition that is currently taking place.<\/p>\n
Officials said one person who was left unaccounted for after the evacuations was located safely around 9:30 a.m.<\/p>\n
A firefighter suffered a shoulder injury while working to contain the blaze.<\/p>\n
Officials said the area from Tilghman to Washington streets between 8th and 10th streets will be closed to pedestrians and traffic as the investigation continues.<\/p>\n
Fire spreads to neighboring homes after house explodes in Allentown: as seen on Action News Mornings, October 20, 2019<\/p>\n
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