Massive fire destroys vacant warehouse in Allentown, forces evacuations
Massive fire destroys vacant warehouse in Allentown, forces evacuations
A multi-alarm fire at the vacant warehouse of a former furniture manufacturer in Allentown prompted evacuations and left many without power.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A multi-alarm fire at the vacant warehouse of a former furniture factory in Allentown prompted evacuations and left many without power on Wednesday night.
What we know:
Firefighters were called to the massive empty warehouse on the 300 block of Front Street around 8:30 p.m. for reports of a fire.
Large flames consumed the structure, which was the former site of the American Atelier furniture factory, and the fire rose to six alarms.
Residents in homes surrounding the warehouse were asked to evacuate as firefighters battled the growing blaze. The fire impacted at least one neighboring rowhome, according to firefighters.
At one point, more than 2,400 people were without power, but that number decreased to less than 1,000 by Thursday morning. There is no timetable for when power will be fully restored.
"Everybody lost power," Barbara Entzminger said. "I just went to sleep because there was nothing else to do, and hopefully it's back on so I don't lose my food."
What we don't know:
No injuries have been reported at this time.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Source: Information from SKYFOX and the Allentown Police Department.