Three families have been displaced due to an early morning fire Sunday at 107 Hill Crest Lane in Slatington.

According to borough’s Fire Chief, Jason Nicholas, a 911 call was received at 5:37 a.m., and with in 8 minutes the first truck arrived on the scene.“The fires started in a bedroom on the second floor,” he said.“The family admitted to falling asleep with a candle burning and they have cats,” said Nicholas.“The fire alarm woke them up but the curtains were already on fire. They tried to throw a wet towel on the fire to put it out but it just fanned the flames.”The incident has been ruled accidental and no injuries were reported.“The unit where the fire originated is completely gutted and the other units upstairs sustained water.”According to the chief, the crew had to work quickly to trench cut the roof as the flames spread through the attic.“When there is a fire in the roof we cut it, or separate it, to keep the fire from spreading. Initially I though all eight were going to collapse because it was a pretty advanced fire.”Three out of seven families were able to return to the eight-unit complex. A fourth family will be able to return when the apartment is cleaned. One unit was unoccupied.“We deodorized the smoke in the three units downstairs and they were able to go back in after 9 a.m.,” he said.A total of 65 crew members were called to the scene. Slatington, Walnutport and Freeman fire departments were assisted by Neffs, Palmerton, Emerald and Lehigh Township.“Schnecksville and Slatedale provided us with additional tankers because there are no fire hydrants in that area. I’d rather have to much help than not enough. I was expecting the worst but hoped for the best,” he said.“It went pretty textbook and everyone worked well and cooperated together.”The displaced families are being assisted by the American Red Cross of Greater Lehigh Valley.