JIM HAMILL
WNEP
Reprinted with Permission

Crews are still on the scene of a fire hours after flames hit four townhouses near Williamsport.


Five people now have to find a new place to live.

Fire ripped through the townhouses on Oakmont Drive in Loyalsock Township north of Williamsport early Tuesday morning, forcing residents out of their homes.

A state police fire marshal was on scene looking for a cause but so far the fire is still under investigation.

Fire crews were called out just before 2 a.m. for the large blaze.

The flames shot from the roof as firefighters used a ladder truck to attack from overhead.

According to fire crews, the people who lived there have working smoke alarms to thank for making it out alive.

"The smoke detectors definitely alerted one of the residents who was able to get out and beat on the doors of the other apartments to alert those people as well. Can't say enough about how important they are. Most definitely, smoke detectors saved at least one if not three lives this morning," said Loyalsock Volunteer Fire Company Assistant Chief Tim Boush.

A total of three people who lived in the townhouses escaped without harm.

Another couple had planned to move into a vacant townhouse there just this week. Now they will be looking for a new home as well.

Investigators continue to look for a cause.