PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A quick-thinking police officer likely saved several lives during a three-alarm fire in Royersford, Montgomery County on Wednesday.
The mayor said the officer was driving near Second Avenue and Washington Street around 6 p.m. when he spotted the fire. He went up and down the block banging on doors to alert residents.
Strong winds spread the fire across six row homes. Neighbors said they watched in horror as the fire jumped from one roof to the next.
“In shock at how close it was,” neighbor Melissa Hotsko told NBC10. “Very concerned for [our neighbors] and their pets and their families, and it was just utter destruction.”
“I just looked to the neighbor’s house and it’s just smoke, fire, flames. Just tons of smoke,” added neighbor Lola Rivera. “Everyone’s coming outside their houses. We’re all trying to situate what to do.”
The families in the affected row homes were displaced and the Red Cross is now helping them. Officials said there were no injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
NBC10 is a broadcast partner of KYW Newsradio.