Flames tear through Collegeville, Pa. home; 3 escape safely
COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. (WPVI) -- A dramatic scene unfolded Tuesday afternoon in Montgomery County as flames consumed a home in Collegeville.
Fire crews responded to the 400 block of East Main Street around 12:20 p.m. and arrived to find flames shooting from the roof.
"It was crazy to see. The fire just wouldn't stop. Then just watching the pieces fall off and everything come down," said Plinio Casalinuovo of West Norriton, who was driving by when he spotted the fire.
Casalinuovo said crews responded quickly and worked to prevent the fire from spreading.
"They had to take the whole roof down, and then the fire dropped right in. It took like an hour," he recalled.
Chopper 6 captured firefighters spraying water on the roof as thick smoke and flames billowed into the sky.
The home, built in 1930, had been divided into four apartment units.
"Upon arrival, the firefighters had fire coming from the roof. We also had reports of people inside," said Collegeville Police Chief John Barnshaw.
Three people inside the building were able to escape safely. Police say a contractor was working on the roof when the fire started.
Investigators are working to determine the exact cause of the blaze.
"It's a shame anytime you lose a building like that because you're not going to be able to replace it," said Steve Nicholson of Collegeville.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries and is expected to recover.
