IMG_2003.JPG

Firefighters were not certain what caused the fire in the 500 block of Bridge Street, but the flames were mostly contained to the second and third floor bedrooms.

(Jeremy Arias/PennLive)

NEW CUMBERLAND — Firefighters were still investigating what sparked a house fire in the 500 block of Bridge Street earlier Monday, but the quick actions of a child living in the home may have saved lives.

According to New Cumberland Fire Chief Jim Benson, a 14-year-old girl was watching television on the second floor of the multi-dwelling home and business when, just after 4 p.m., she turned and noticed a fire. The girl quickly gathered the other residents of the home, five adults and a 4-month-old, and all escaped the building without injuries, Benson said.

“My unit was the first to arrive at the scene and we had fire blowing out of all of the second floor windows,” Benson said. “The fire was kept to a first alarm, but we don’t have a cause yet.”

A New Cumberland firefighter was taken to the hospital after responding to the fire with burns to his knees, but Benson was not certain of his status as of Monday evening.

“I’ll be checking on him shortly,” the fire chief added.

The first floor of the building is a business, while several apartments occupy the second and third floors. As of early Monday evening, the fire appears to have originated in the front second floor bedrooms and there was extensive damage done to the second and third floors, Benson said.

The fire chief did not have a damage estimate as of shortly after 6 p.m.

Several residents of the home gathered near the front steps of a house across the street where medical professionals handed out water and blankets until the Red Cross could arrive. None of the residents wished to comment on the fire.

Firefighters were still working to smother the last hot spots in the home as of 6 p.m. and a fire marshal would be arriving shortly to assist in the investigation, Benson said.

“The only thing not accounted for at this point is a dog that may or may not have lived in the home,” Bensons said. “But it has not shown up in the residence.”

As of early Monday evening, the fire was not considered suspicious, Benson added. Additional information will be released as the investigation continues.