A fast moving wind swept fire displaced at least 15 Allentown residents Sunday afternoon.
The fire started in a row home on the 500 block of North 7th Street about 12:30pm.
"The smoke was unbearable. It was coming at your face" said Jacob Washington, whose family's apartment was gutted.
When firefighters arrived, flames could be seen coming from the first and second floor windows. Video from a mobile phone captured flames as they shot out of a first floor window.
Scroll down to see a slideshow of images from the fire.
The fire quickly grew to 3 alarms due to the 20 mile-per-hour wind gusts in the area.
Tina Washington, who lives on the third flood, was rescued from her home by a neighbor and four sons while flames and blinding smoke billowed from the home.
"The fire was on my porch. And somebody grabbed me off the porch" said Washington.
"My mom was inside. We had to bring her out and over the rail because the flames were touching our side of the house" said son David Washington.
Firefighters say high winds gusting more than 25 miles an hour were a major factor in fueling the fire.
"It definitely was a more difficult fire to fight because the wind actually blew the fire into 507 and accentuated the fire on the second and third floors" said Lee Laubach, Allentown Asst. Fire Chief.
This is the second time in 10 years the Washington family has lost everything to a fire. The local chapter of the American Red Cross is helping them find a hotel Sunday night but on Monday, the search begins for a new home.
"Homeless. That's how I feel. Homeless. I've worked so hard in this town to get to where I need to be" said Tina Washington.
Fire officials are still investigating but the preliminary cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 8:31 PM EDT2013-05-15 00:31:38 GMT
Kermit Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. The 72-year old abortion provider has waived his right to appeal the first-degree murder charge issued by a jury just one day ago.Dr. Kermit Gosnell
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It was a heartbreaking Mother's Day for the mom of a shooting victim gunned down on South Street as she travels to Philadelphia to identify the body of her son.
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The shock of Monday's bombing at the Boston Marathon has turned to sadness and anger, but there is a new sense of community and patriotism among the people of Boston.
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Sunday, May 19 2013 8:20 AM EDT2013-05-19 12:20:57 GMT
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
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Sunday, May 19 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-19 11:58:46 GMT
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:45 AM EDT2013-05-19 05:45:51 GMT
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery.
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Saturday, May 18 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:28:06 GMT
Rain moved in Saturday afternoon and the chance for it will stick around through the seven day forecast.
It becomes very unsettled across our area with clounds and showers again Sunday. The best chance for rain is in the morning and afternoon thunderstorms are possible towards our south.
Sunday is cool but we do warm up well into the 80s by Tuesday. With the warm weather comes a better chance for thunderstorms.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
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Friday, May 17 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:38:13 GMT
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
Fire investigators comb through a row home after a fire Sunday that displaced 11 residents.
Video captured by a mobile phone shows flames shooting out of a first floor window.
