PENNDEL, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Flames tore through a home in Penndel, Bucks County, early Thursday morning. Eight people were able to get out with the help of a police officer who was the first to respond.
The fire started around 4:45 a.m. at a three-story single home on Woodland Avenue, near Centre Street. Officials said the house had “jam-packed” hoarding conditions.
The Penndel Police Department is located just across the street, and an officer was able to rush over to the scene. Officials said Officer Sean Peck “immediately jumped into action” and helped get the people out of the house.
“He was responding to another call when he came out of the building and noticed the fire,” said Deputy Fire Chief Sam Simon. “He did a great job getting those folks out of the house.”
Simon said the eight people, some of them children, were asleep when the fire broke out, and Peck woke them up and made sure they got out safely. No one was injured.
In a statement, the police department said, “Recognizing the imminent danger to the occupants, Officer Peck entered the home despite the fire and heavy smoke conditions. His swift and courageous efforts led to the successful evacuation of eight individuals.”
The residents were taken to the nearby municipal building to keep warm. Red Cross volunteers are assisting them.
It was not immediately clear if there were working smoke detectors in the home. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire.