A state police fire marshal will arrive Monday to search for clues after a fire late Saturday in Tamaqua's South Ward section left three homeless and displaced several others. 

The fast-moving blaze quickly destroyed attached houses at 129 and 131 Orwigsburg St. An adjacent duplex at 125 and 127 Orwigsburg sustained damage. The heat of the flames melted vinyl siding on houses located across the street."The whole front was in flames," said South Ward resident Bill Jones.One fire victim said there was no time to act, only time to flee due to the intensity."I got up to use the bathroom," said Matt Oliver, 56, owner of 129 Orwigsburg St., "and sensed something was burning. It was already about four feet high and seemed to be at the back wall."Oliver said he ran out the front door and stood shivering in the cold night air."I was in the middle of the street completely naked," he said. Neighbors rushed to his aid, supplying him with clothes and a blanket.

Oliver appeared to have suffered a cut to his leg and was taken to the hospital for treatment.Also losing her home was Rozanne Brozyno, owner of 131 Orwigsburg, where she resided with James Heffelfinger.

Both were helped out of their home by neighbors and emergency officials.  Four adults, three children and over a dozen pets residing in adjacent homes at 125 and 127 Orwigsburg St. are temporarily displaced and living with friends and family. They include: Richard Yost, Arlene Yost and a third occupant of 125 Orwigsburg Street, and Jennifer Yost and three children of 127 Orwigsburg.Two parked vehicles, one belonging to Oliver, the other Brozyno, were destroyed by flames.Downed power lines at the scene created additional danger for firefighters as wires continuously arced on the wet street. PPL crews responded and turned off power on the block until about 1 a.m. Firefighters and other emergency responders remained on scene until 2 a.m."I grew up in that house," said Lila Christ of Pine Street. "My parents and grandparents lived there."Christ was able to shed light on some confusion regarding the numbering of the houses. She said 129 Orwigsburg was originally two houses, representing two-thirds of a triplex numbered 129, 129-1/2 and 131. Years ago, houses at 129 and 129-1/2 were combined to form one larger house. That new, larger house was then called 129. The house originally marked as 129-1/2 ceased to exist.

Tamaqua Fire Department spokesman Jim Connely, chief, American Hose Company, praised the quick response from all responding units.They included: South Ward, Citizens, East End and American Hose companies, Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Coaldale Fire Company, firefighters from Carbon County Rapid Intervention Team, Tamaqua Ambulance, Tamaqua police, fire police and others. 

Also responding were Schuylkill County Red Cross and Tamaqua Salvation Army. Both provided assistance to the fire victims and firefighters.Tamaqua Salvation Army Major Sharon Whispell expressed appreciation to Domino’s Pizza and Burger King, Tamaqua, for donations of food.See photos from the fire:

http://www.tnonline.com/gallery/tamaqua-fire-guts-homes-south-ward-section