UPDATE: A two-alarm fire has displaced two residents in Chester, Pennsylvania, following a dramatic blaze that erupted on Friday, October 20, 2023, at approximately 6:20 p.m. Emergency responders rushed to the scene on the 1000 block of Hyatt Street, where police took immediate action, banging on doors to alert nearby residents of the dangerous smoky conditions.
Chester Fire Commissioner John-Paul Shirley confirmed that fire crews arriving on the scene detected flames in the cockloft and roof space of the building. Due to the rapid spread of the fire, a second alarm was sounded just 15 minutes into the response, prompting assistance from neighboring fire departments and off-duty Chester crews.
Firefighters faced challenges as they battled flames that had ignited the insulation in the roof area. After a vigorous fight, the fire was brought under control in 45 minutes, with crews successfully preventing the blaze from spreading to adjacent row homes.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. However, the two residents displaced by the fire are currently unaccounted for in terms of temporary accommodation. The Red Cross has acknowledged offering assistance, but only confirmed support for residents affected by a separate fire in Ridley Township on the same day.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation but is not currently deemed suspicious, according to Commissioner Shirley. Residents in the area are urged to stay alert as firefighters continue to monitor the situation.
As the community assesses the damage and supports those affected, more updates are expected to follow. Stay tuned for further developments on this breaking news story.
