Red Cross Helps 34 Left Homeless After Bucks County Fire
By Robin Rieger
MORRISVILLE, Pa (CBS) -- 34 people, including 12 children were being assisted by the American Red Cross, displaced by a fast moving fire in Morrisville, Bucks County late Saturday night that left many of them with only the clothes on their backs.
"My mom has nothing left," said Greg Steele who had just moved into his mom's row home that caught fire.
They were left with burned and soaking wet walls, carpets, ceiling and belongings. It was a scene repeated in a stretch of at least 15 row homes on West Philadelphia Avenue in Morrisville. Those displaced by the fire that broke out spent Sunday trying to comfort each other and salvage whatever they could.
Firefighters were called to the scene around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and quickly started evacuating residents as the fire spread from one home to another through a common roof area.
The fire was reportedly started by a shot circuit in a bathroom vent fan.
"I grabbed my wallet, my keys, jacket," said Chris Mastrangelo.
He said he went outside with his girlfriend and her mom who rents her unit and luckily has insurance.
"The fireman, no matter what they did it seemed they were too behind the fire and couldn't catch up," said Mastrangelo.
A hot spot flared again on Sunday morning.
"I need somebody to find my dog," said Glen Entelis. "She's all I have."
There were no injuries reported from the fire unless you consider Entelis' broken heart. His one-year-old dog, Lily Monster, a Pomeranian mix, was missing.
"When firefighters came and kicked in the door she just bolted, she was so scared," Entelis said.
He wasn't home at the time, but said his neighbors saw her run off. He was relieved she wasn't trapped in his burning home, but hoped someone had seen her. She's black with a white crest and white rear paws.
"She has a tag with my phone number on it," he added. "She's really friendly."
Entelis planned to hang up posters with her picture on Monday morning if she hadn't been found.
NOTE: The Red Cross said it will continue to accept new cases for the immediate future. So any families who have not come forward or need additional resources can do so.
All assistance is free of charge and made possible soley through donations.
Anyone who wishes to help these families or other disaster victims from our area can go to, PhillyHomeFire.org.
