As soon as people started finding out a house was on fire on Fifth Avenue in New Kensington, Westmoreland County, the whole neighborhood jumped in to help the families inside.
“Our daughter, 14 years old, came in and said ‘Joe’s house is on fire!’” said Michelle Lee.
PHOTOS: 8 people, including several young children, displaced by New Kensington fire
At that moment, Lee says she and her husband rushed out of bed.
“Everyone came out,” said Lee. “People were bringing blankets. Helping the little ones. There were some kittens that got rescued.”
Lee said one of her neighbors actually ran into the burning house.
“The wife was helping Joe in the wheelchair,” said Lee. “Her husband was helping and ran back into the house multiple times to get kittens and make sure everyone else was out.”
At first, Lee said she just saw smoke, then she saw the flames.
“Within minutes of us being out here, the whole side of the house towards our house was up in flames,” said Lee.
A short time later, she says firefighters and flashing lights filled the street.
“They went in the front door,” said Lee. “They went in the back. Through the windows. They got it under control pretty fast.”
The New Kensington Fire Department Company 2 said eight people were living in three apartments. Everyone got out safely, including several young children.
“He was really upset, the 8-9 year old,” said Lee. “You could just see the fire. My daughter came out as well. We were all shaking. It was just overwhelming.”
The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal is looking into the cause of the fire.
The Red Cross is helping the families.
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