A local family has been displaced following Tuesday’s devastating two-alarm fire that claimed the life of their two pets and left their home and personal items in ruins.
First responders were dispatched to a home at the intersection of East Hancock Street and Wade Avenue at 1:19 p.m. on Dec. 21 for a report of a dwelling fire. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy fire and smoke coming from the home.
“The sole occupant of the house was forced to jump from a second-floor window to escape the smoke and fast-moving fire,” said Rick Lesniak, Lansdale’s Fire Marshal. “The occupant was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.”
The father of the victim, who spoke with North Penn Now at the scene, stated that the victim suffered injuries from smoke inhalation. They were treated at an area hospital and have since been released, according to the family.
“Due to the intensity of the fire, a second alarm was requested at 1:31pm to bring additional resources to the scene to help prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring dwellings,” said Lesniak. “While an adjacent dwelling was damaged by the fire, the occupants is still able to stay in the house.”
Lesniak said that in addition to the occupant of the home, a member of the Fairmount Fire Company was also injured at the scene and transported via ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. North Penn Now spoke with the firefighter, who stated that he sustained second-degree burns to a portion of his face. He has since been released.
It is believed that two of the family’s pets — a cat and a dog — were killed in the blaze. Lesniak confirmed to North Penn Now that both pets remain unaccounted for at this time.
The fire was officially placed under control at 2:05 p.m., however crews remained on scene until approximately 5:30 p.m. Fairmount Fire Company was assisted at the scene by members of the Lansdale Borough Police Department, Volunteer Medical Service Corps, Fire Department of Montgomery Township, Colmar Fire Company, Hatfield Fire Company, North Penn Fire Company, Upper Gwynedd Fire Department, Towamencin Fire Company, Worcester Fire Company and other area emergency response teams.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Lesniak reminds all residents to check their smoke detectors and ensure they have functional detectors in each room on their homes.
Community Rallies Before Scene Cleared
In a dramatic show of support for a family who lost their home, pets and personal items just days before Christmas, members of the North Penn community were pledging their support and offering assistance as crews were on scene placing the blaze under control.
In the hours afterwards, North Penn Now received more than 100 messages, emails, calls and comments regarding ways to support the victims. We’ve kept in touch with the family, along with other community leaders, and have compiled a list of the following ways to offer assistance:
Direct Financial Donations:
Clothing Donations:
Other Donations:
Drop Off Locations:
Trinity Lutheran Match Option
Trinity Lutheran Pastor Fritz Fowler has said the church will serve as a drop-off point for donations from Wednesday through Friday. Additionally, Fowler said that Trinity Lutheran will match the first $1,000 in donations to further help the family.
(Editor’s note: All financial accounts and drop off locations above have been confirmed by North Penn Now.)
See also:
VIDEO: 1 Person Injured, 2 Pets Believed Dead Following Residential Fire in Lansdale Borough
Diabetic Emergency Possibly Contributed to Fatal Allentown Road Crash, Police Say
Victim Dies Following Last Week’s Crash on Allentown Road in Towamencin
Multiple People Injured in Tuesday Crash on Allentown Road in Towamencin
Towamencin Police Investigating Thanksgiving Eve Crash with Injuries on Sumneytown Pike
