SHENANDOAH - Two homes were destroyed and two others damaged after an accidental fire early Saturday in the 100 block of North Jardin Street.
None of the residents were injured but several firefighters were treated for minor injuries.
"It was all for minor things," said Shenandoah Fire Marshal Rick Examitas, adding that none of the firefighters needed to be taken to a hospital.
The fire destroyed the 122 N. Jardin St. home of John and Rose Koury, along with the home at 120 N. Jardin St. Joseph Hall, Shenandoah's police chief and fire investigator, said the occupants of that home were renters and were not home at the time of the fire. Their identities were not immediately known Saturday, Hall said.
The home of Joseph Jacko Jr. and his mother, Claire, at 118 N. Jardin St., along with the home of Lois Riechwien, 124 N. Jardin St., sustained smoke, water and some fire damage, Examitas said. Damage was estimated at $100,000.
Joseph Jacko said he smelled smoke from inside his house about 3 a.m., and he got out of bed to look for the source but couldn't find anything.
When the odor of smoke didn't dissipate, Jacko said he went outside but still couldn't find a fire.
"I thought someone could be grilling because there was a light at the end of the block," Jacko said.
He called 911 to report the odor of smoke. Examitas said the call was received at 3:39 a.m. and Fire Chief Richard Mensick and Shenandoah police Patrolman Robert Senape arrived at the scene a short time later.
When Mensick arrived, he initially only smelled smoke, but when he and Senape entered Jacko's home, Mensick looked over into the neighboring homes and saw the fire.
Jacko said he and his mother were able to escape their home unharmed and that he was told their home was not completely destroyed by the fire.
State police fire marshal Trooper Michael Kowalick of the Reading station and Hall investigated the fire and determined it started in the basement of the Kourys' home and was accidental. Kowalick said the cause was an "electrical malfunction which ignited nearby combustible materials."
A neighbor who would only give her name as Mary said the Kourys have lived in their home for 50-plus years.
"They raised their children there. It's a shame how fast you can lose everything," she said. "I just thank God no one was killed."
Examitas said firefighters from Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, Ashland, Girardville, Nuremberg, Frackville, Englewood and Shenandoah Heights battled the fire while Pottsville firefighters were on hand with their Rapid Intervention Team.
EMS units from Lost Creek, Shenandoah, Frackville and Ringtown were at the scene and Ryan Township EMS was moved into the area to cover other emergency calls.
Examitas said the American Red Cross was on hand providing water for emergency personnel and was also available to help anyone displaced by the blaze.
The majority of those left homeless will be staying with relatives, the fire marshal said.