MAHANOY CITY - Nine people are homeless after a Tuesday afternoon fire on West Market Street that remains under investigation.
Firefighters were called to 411 W. Market St. at 5:13 p.m. and found fire and heavy smoke in a second floor room of the home rented by Joseph Vezo and Jennifer Taylor.
Left homeless by the blaze were Vezo, Taylor and their six children - Jason Gold, 9; Trevor Gold, 5; Aryanna Vezo, 4; Gaige Vezo, 3; Blake Vezo, 2; and Joseph Vezo, who was born Jan. 19.
A resident renting the home at 409 W. Market St., Eva Negron, was temporarily displaced.
Mahanoy City fire Chief Randy Kalce said the fire started on the second floor of the Vezo home and was contained to that area.
He said the cause and origin of the fire is under investigation and a state police fire marshal will be called to assist.
Kalce said both homes are owned by Edward Green, Wilkes-Barre, and that he is not sure whether the properties are insured. None of the tenants had rental insurance, Kalce said.
Kalce said Joseph Vezo was alerted of the fire when he heard a second-floor smoke alarm, looked up and saw a glow coming from upstairs.
Kalce said firefighters had the fire under control in about 15 minutes but remained on the scene for about an hour to do overhaul and ensure the flames were completely extinguished.
The chief said no injuries were reported and commended borough firefighters to their quick work in containing the fire.
Kalce said the property at 411 W. Market St. sustained smoke and fire damage to the room on the second floor with water and smoke damage to the remainder of the two-story building. The home that Negron resided in sustained minimal smoke and water damage, Kalce said.
Kalce said he believes those affected by the fire are staying with relatives but are also being assisted by the Schuylkill and East Northumberland Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Firefighters from Frackville and Altamont assisted at the scene along with Mahanoy City EMS and borough police and fire police.
