Flames ripped through a vacant, 2 1/2 story house in Lansford early Wednesday morning.

The fire happened at 336 W. Snyder Ave. When the fire was discovered at about 1:15 a.m., flames already were shooting through the roof of the structure.Lansford Fire Chief Joe Cannon said at one point the flames spread to the peak of the roof of a neighboring home, occupied by James and Dorothy Gulla at 338 W. Snyder Ave.The fire inside the Gulla home was contained to the roof area.The blaze was simultaneously discovered by James Gulla and Lansford police officers Joshua Tom and Shawn Nunnemacher. Gulla and Tom immediately grabbed garden hoses and attempted to control the flames from spreading to the Gulla residence. The two houses are about four feet apart.Tom said he was between the houses with the hose, but was forced to flee when debris began falling from the upper floors to the vacant house. He said he was concerned about the burning house collapsing.Responding to the scene were firefighters from Lansford, Summit Hill, Coaldale, Tamaqua, Nesquehoning, and Jim Thorpe.Reportedly the house has been vacant since February when a lone occupant had passed away.Cannon said the cause of the fire has not been determined. A state police fire marshal will respond to the scene today and assist Cannon in the investigation.No injuries were reported.