An inflatable Christmas decoration lay crumpled on the grass Sunday in front of an Arnold home that was damaged by flames from an intense fire next door.
A state police fire marshal is investigating what sparked the fire in the 1600 block of Third Avenue shortly before midnight Saturday.
“It's sad for something like this to happen so close to Christmas,” neighbor April Porter said.
Robert Woody, who rented an apartment in the house where the fire started, was home at the time and escaped without injury, said Arnold police Officer Marcia Cole. Woody is staying with relatives, she said.
“I saw him come out and he was coughing from the smoke,” neighbor James Dietz said.
Dietz said he came outside when the fire first ignited and said he could see smoke and flames coming from the third floor.
Neither state police nor Arnold firefighters could be reached for comment on Sunday.
Arnold fire companies were dispatched at 11:55 p.m. Saturday. At 12:35 p.m., firefighters evacuated a neighboring home as the flames spread.
Porter identified those residents as Gil and Amy Thomas and said they are staying elsewhere because of damage to the roof and second floor.
“It was scary,” said Porter, who also had to leave her house. “For a while I thought all three houses were going to go.”
Her house wasn't damaged, but she said she feels bad for her neighbors.
Jodi Weigand is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-4702.
