SHENANDOAH - A fast-moving fire severely damaged two homes Wednesday on West New York Street, leaving three people homeless.
Firefighters were called about 10:07 a.m. to 428-430 W. New York St. and found heavy smoke and fire when they arrived.
Shenandoah police Lt. Gary Keppel, one of the first at the scene, said heavy smoke was coming from the second-floor front windows of 428 W. New York St.
Flames quickly spread to the adjoining home at 430 W. New York St. but firefighters managed to contain most of the fire to those two homes.
"It didn't take long for it to spread," Keppel said, adding that no one was home at the time of the fire.
Shenandoah police Chief Joseph Hall, who is also a borough fire investigator, identified the occupants of the homes as Daniel Wylie and Rita Suda at 428 W. New York St. and Shawn Weinus, 37, at 430 W. New York St.
Firefighters helped an elderly woman out of her 432 W. New York St. home during the early stages of the fire as a precaution.
The woman, identified as Julia Gervel, was not injured and her home sustained minor fire damage to the rear and some smoke damage inside.
Firefighters from Shenandoah and surrounding communities battled the blaze and had it completely under control in about 90 minutes, according to Shenandoah fire marshal Rick Examitas.
The cause of the fire has not been determined and Hall said a state police fire marshal was called to assist. Hall said, however, that the blaze started in the 428 W. New York St. home and does not appear to be suspicious.
Shenandoah Fire Police assisted at the scene with traffic and crowd control and the American Red Cross was on hand to assist those left homeless.
