'The Fire Was Blazing': 3 People Escape Darby Rowhome Engulfed By Flames
DARBY, Pa. (CBS) - A rowhome in Darby is destroyed and a family is lucky to be alive after a two-alarm fire broke out early Thursday morning. Crews responded to the 100 block of Main Street, just after 5 a.m.
When firefighters arrived on scene, the first and second floors were engulfed in flames and heavy flames were shooting from a third-floor window.
"The fire was blazing, I couldn't even see," said resident Moses Kamanoro.
Kamanoro had just gotten home from overnight work, showered and fallen asleep when suddenly he heard the fire alarm.
"I woke up, I saw the smoke, the entire room, I didn't know what happened," Kamanoro said.
He soon realized he was surrounded by fire in his first floor apartment.
He says he barely escaped through the front door.
"God gave me that strength," Kamanoro said. "I jumped through the front door and the fire was right at the front door."
His neighbors upstairs were forced to jump out of a window.
"They jumped out the back window," Kamanoro said. "They jumped. Two of them. And I saw them and I think they took them to the hospital."
Fire investigators say three people in all were able to get out of the burning home before fire crews arrived.
Neighbor Bruce Bellinger shot this cellphone video and feared the fire would spread from rowhome to rowhome.
"I was more worried about the other tenants in the other buildings because they're all connected," Bellinger said.
Even thought Kamanoro and his wife, who was not home at the time of the fire, lost everything they are thankful for their lives.
"I thank God, I thank God, everybody," Kamanoro said.
At least 15 fire companies responded to the scene.
Traffic was diverted while firefighters worked to maintain the flames.
Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to neighborhood homes. Those neighbors are expected to be able to go back home later today.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
