Fire damages rowhouses in Reading, Pa.

READING, Pa. (WPVI) -- One person has been hospitalized following a fire that damaged several row houses in Reading.

The blaze broke out at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at a home in the 900 block of East Laurel Street.

The blaze spread to neighboring homes and went to 3 alarms before firefighters got it under control.

At least six homes were damaged, and three appeared to have been completely destroyed.

One person was taken to an area hospital after suffering an asthma attack.

There was no immediate word on that person's condition.

Initial reports that one person was trapped inside turned out to be unfounded.

"There was nobody trapped inside," said Reading Fire Marshal Lawrence Moyer. "It was believed that one of the children from the home was still there and didn't leave for school yet. But he's been accounted for. He's safe. He was at school."

Between 15 and 20 people have been left homeless.

Fire investigators remained on the scene working to determine the cause.