MAHANOY CITY - Five people are homeless after fire damaged two residences late Sunday night.
Firefighters were called to the home of John and Cathleen Leso at 335 E. Pine St. about 11:30 p.m. and found smoke coming from the second floor of the building.
The couple and another occupant, Debra Forker, were home and all escaped without injury. A borough firefighter rescued the family dog from the home.
The Lesos, Forker and two occupants who were not home at the time - Derrick Forker and Brittney Zelinsky - are all staying with family, according to Anthony Blackwell, Mahanoy City Fire Department administrative assistant and safety officer.
Fire Chief Randy Kalce said crews that arrived at the home within minutes found heavy smoke in the front second floor and quickly carried a hose line into the building and contained the fire.
The fire was kept to the front bedroom, where it is believed to have started.
Blackwell said John and Cathleen Leso own the home at 335 E. Pine St. and an adjoining home at 333 E. Pine St. and that both buildings sustained minimal smoke and water damage to the second floor.
Minor fire damage was also reported to the home at 335 E. Pine St.
Blackwell said another attached home at 337 E. Pine St., vacant and owned by Samuel and Catherine Lous, Amanda Beiland and Christine Lawlor, was not damaged.
Kalce said the fire was brought under control in 30 minutes and crews remained on scene for about an hour afterward to make sure it was completely extinguished.
Kalce and Blackwell said the cause of the fire is under investigation. A state police fire marshal was on scene Monday afternoon but no cause was available.
No estimate of damage was available Monday.
All Mahanoy City fire companies responded along with Mahanoy City EMS, borough fire police and borough police officers. Also assisting were firefighters from Frackville and the Rapid Intervention Team from Altamont Fire Company in West Mahanoy Township.
PPL crews were at the scene about 1 a.m. Monday to cut off electrical power to the homes as a precaution.
