Family counting blessings following Brewerytown fire

A fire has ripped through a row-home and spread to the home next door. Now a Brewerytown family's picking up the pieces from two decades of memories.

"We were in church. It's Palm Sunday and we got called while we were at the church to say the house next door was on fire." Tracey Clark said.

By the time the Clark family left the service and rushed to their Brewerytown home on the 1400 block of north 30th Street, this is all that was left.

Fire had destroyed the house next door and spread to their own. Firefighters worked to put out the last of the flames.

"It's the first home I had when I graduated from college," Mark said.

The home his mother bought Mark Clark before she passed two years ago. 20 years of memories gone up in smoke and flame. But on this Christian holiday marking the start of the holy week, the Clarks are finding peace through faith in fact they're giving thanks.

"We're all grateful to God that nobody was home when it happened," Mark said. "The biggest thing is that no one was hurt and we're blessed."

Firefighters say the flame ignited around two in the afternoon in this vacant home and was brought under control in less than an hour. Homes on either side were damaged. As night fell neighbors took in the aftermath and cleanup began

"We got a lot of memories and I'm very sad today but I'm sure we'll be able to put it back together," Mark said.
Despite this newfound hardship Tracey Clark says god had a plan usually her husband stays home from church today he went.

"Property is property and lives are different and we're all ok," Tracey said.

The Clarks are hoping to salvage what they can of the last 20 years from their home. Dad, mom and daughter are safe and have a place to stay.