BOB REYNOLDS
WNEP
Reprinted with Permission
Fire investigators were on the scene Thursday of a blaze that destroyed nine apartments and forced out 15 people in Pine Grove overnight.
Some of the fire victims lost everything.
"God saved out lives." said fire victim Muriel Wise. "I have an 18-month-old baby and he is my world and if something should happen to him I don't know where I would be."
"I have no home! My pictures, my wedding ring, my phone are up there in the fire," said Tricia Dizieana.
As the investigators looked for clues as to what started the blaze, fire victims were busy gathering what they could salvage from their apartments. The American Red Cross is putting them up in a motel.
Officials said the fire caused so much damage because the four apartment houses are all physically connected. That allowed fire to spread.
"When the houses are connected like this it's nothing but a big fire trap. One house burns all the other houses burn," said fire victim Mike Longenecker.
Fortunately no one was hurt, although a pet cat died.
"It's basically like losing a family member because he was like a son to me. I got him when he was seven months and I raised him all up," Justin Wise said of the pet cat.
Most of the fire victims said their future is uncertain. Making the situation worse, they did not have fire insurance.
"It's heartbreaking, it's just heart breaking. Young families put out and they don't know what to do. They're at a total loss," said Dave Padova of the Pine Grove Business Association.
The association is stepping in to help the fire victims. A food and clothing drive will be held this Saturday between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Lions Club on Spruce Street.
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