Crews remain on the scene of a fire at 247-249 N. Second St. in Lehighton., where four homes have been damaged.

The fire broke out around 3 a.m. and flames were shooting through the roof at 247 N. Second St. Homes at 243, 245 and 251 N. Second St. have also been damaged. In all 12 people have been displaced. Two people were taken to the hospital with health-related injuries.Additional manpower was called to the scene shortly after 5 a.m.The American Red Cross is assisting families at the scene.One day before Thanksgiving, 18 people were displaced from their homes following a fire early this morning in Lehighton.Firefighters from various fire departments responded to North Second Street where three structures were on fire around 3 a.m.Upon arrival, borough fire Chief Patrick Mriss said two double homes and one single home were on fire.“There was lots of fire, across the front, across the back,” Mriss said. “The fire was well involved.”Additional manpower was called to the scene shortly after 5 a.m.Mriss said the fire is believed to have started at 247 N. Second St.From there, he said the fire extended to the duplex at 245 N. Second St., as well as the exterior of 251 N. Second St.Mriss said homes at 243, 245, and 251 N. Second St. were also damaged, with the most extensive being to 247 and 245. Both appear to be total losses.Outside, Jason Wisor and Kristal Astalos, who live at 251 N. Second St., stood in the cold, covered with blankets.“Jason was getting up for work, smelled smoke, and knocked on the neighbor’s door to wake him,” Astalos said.Wisor said he then called 911, adding that he saw what was “only a little fire on the corner of his (the neighbor who lives at 247) porch.”He and Astalos have lived there since June, and added that in the aftermath of the fire, they were just going to “play it by ear.”The couple, along with four children ages 11, 7, 5 and 3, and the dog and cat that live with them, were able to escape without incident, as were the others who were displaced.Mriss said the fire also affected one of the Lehighton Fire Department’s members. The firefighter lives with his family at 245 N. Second St., Mriss said.“He was here helping us out,” said Mriss, who declined to name the firefighter.Two people were taken to the hospital with what were believed to be health-related injuries, said Mriss, who added that no firefighters were injured.Mriss said the fire remains under investigation, and said a fire marshal has been called out to the scene.Also assisting were fire departments from Franklin Township, Mahoning Township, East Penn Township, Palmerton, Jim Thorpe, and Summit Hill, with Walnutport on standby at the station, he said.The American Red Cross is providing emergency assistance for 4 families, a total of 18 people.Each family is being provided help with lodging, food and clothing. The Red Cross will continue to work with these families throughout the holiday weekend addressing any other needs they may have.Video from the scene:

https://www.facebook.com/tnlehighton/videos/1157501067620023/