MAHANOY CITY - A Thursday night fire in Mahanoy City that left seven people temporarily homeless was accidental, fire officials said Friday.
Anthony Blackwell, Mahanoy City Fire Department administrative assistant and safety officer, said the blaze that damaged four homes in the 300 block of East Pine Street about 10:45 p.m. was caused by an electrical malfunction.
It was determined the fire started inside a home at 326 E. Pine St. occupied by Emily Yacovelli and her son, Mark Yacovelli, and Paul Waselewski.
"The investigation concluded an overloaded electrical outlet, accidental, as the cause of the fire," Blackwell said.
Firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes of being dispatched and were met with heavy flames shooting from the third floor windows of the home. They quickly doused the blaze and contained fire damage to 326 E. Pine St., which is in the middle of four attached properties.
Assistant Fire Chief Sean Macleary said a quick interior attack by firefighters along with rapid ventilation of the roof kept the flames from spreading to adjoining properties.
Blackwell credited Mahanoy City Police Cpl. Michael Dissinger and Patrolman Jonathan McHugh for helping two elderly residents - Walter and Josephine Sklaris - from their home at 328 E. Pine St.
"The police officers forced entry into the home to alert residents of the fire next door and due to their age, had to physically assist the residents out of their home," Blackwell said.
In addition to the occupants of the homes at 326 and 328 E. Pine St., also left temporarily homeless were Stella Ashfield and her son, Eric Ashfield, who live at 324 E. Pine St.
A home at 330 E. Pine St. was unoccupied, Blackwell said.
Blackwell said homes at 324 and 328 E. Pine St. sustained smoke and water damage while the property at 330 E. Pine St. sustained light smoke damage.
Emily and Mark Yacovelli and Waselewski were helped by the American Red Cross to find temporary housing while the remainder of the residents are staying with relatives, Blackwell said.
Firefighters and EMS units from Mahanoy City and surrounding communities responded to the scene along with the Tamaqua Rescue Squad and Mahanoy City Fire Police.