1 dead, residents from at least 4 homes forced out after Lansdale fire
Lansdale fire: 1 dead, homes damaged, neighbors react
A man is dead and several people are without a home after a fire broke out on the 800 block of Andover Road in Lansdale around 6:00 a.m. Friday, according to police, neighbors and video from the scene.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Pa. - One person was killed and residents from at least four homes were displaced after a fire spread through attached houses in Montgomery County on Friday morning.
What we know:
Lansdale police responded to the 800 block of Andover Road around 6:16 a.m. for a report of a house fire involving multiple residences.
Officers arrived to find heavy fire affecting two attached homes, with reports that people were trapped inside, according to police.
One person killed
The fire was brought under control around 7:44 a.m.
Police confirm one man died inside his home. Neighbors described him as living alone, a Beirut veteran, a Marine, and a multiple Purple Heart recipient.
No other injuries were reported.
Neighbors described the victim as someone who was friends with everyone and always willing to help.
"All I tell you he’s a great guy. He’d give you the shirt off his back… I mean everybody around here knew him, he was friends with everybody," said a neighbor. Video from the scene showed smoke filling the sky as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
Residents displaced
Residents from at least four homes were displaced by the fire and were receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.
Fairmount Fire Company was assisted by other area fire companies, VMSC Emergency Medical Services, Lansdale Electric and PECO.
Residents from the attached homes are displaced and are receiving help from the American Red Cross. The organization said they're providing emergency assistance to three families, totaling 18 people.
What they're saying:
Neighbors shared memories of the man who died, describing him as generous and caring.
"It’s definitely a loss for everyone. He used to mow other people’s lawns and stuff like that as well… He would just give, he was a big giver," said Sabina Parra, who lives next door.
Mike Winton, who saw the fire from the back, said, "I saw it at 6 o’clock in the morning, and hell, I haven’t been back to sleep yet. It was the saddest thing I’ve ever seen."
"I think it’s hitting me as the day goes on. I just said to him, we just got home from errands, I looked out my kitchen window and I was like, ‘Oh my God,'
added Michele Zepp.
Among the debris, neighbors noticed that a soldier statue with a cross in the victim’s yard was untouched.
"Earlier I said, ‘Michael, look, the soldier’s not even touched. That was very important to him," said Zepp.
Neighbors expressed shock and sadness as they processed the loss and the damage to their community.
What you can do:
Police say anyone wishing to help can drop off gift cards at Trinity Lutheran Church through August 6.
Drop-Off Hours:
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Monday–Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday–Thursday: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
What we don't know:
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Source: This article was written using information from the Lansdale Borough Police Department.