SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - A fire destroyed one home and damaged another Tuesday, forcing the residents to find somewhere else to stay.
Firefighters were called to 404 E. Main St. at 3:31 p.m. Tuesday, borough Assistant Fire Chief James Reed said.
Reed said he was working in his garage around the corner when the call came in.
"I could see smoke as I was coming down the alley," he said.
The blaze appeared to have started somewhere on the second floor, he said.
Herbert and Todd Dewitt lived in the home. The father and son were able to escape with their dog without injury, Reed said.
Firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from spreading next door, but 402 E. Main St. sustained heavy smoke and water damage. Lucy Rumberger and her adult children were not able to stay at the home, Reed said. Four cats were also saved from Rumberger's home.
People at the third residence in the row of homes at 400 E. Main St. were able to return.
The Red Cross provided shelter for the Dewitt and Rumberger families at a local hotel, Reed said.
A fire marshal will arrive at the scene today to investigate the cause of the blaze. However, it does not seem suspicious, Reed said.
"It is just undetermined as of now," Reed said.