Firefighters battled a blaze at the Kresgeville Deli along Rt. 209 and its upstairs apartment around 2 a.m. Saturday.

“When we got there, smoke was visible from the outside. When we started going inside to inspect, we saw the flames,” said Billy Tippett, fire chief at Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company.

Initially, they were dispatched for a smoke investigation at 1:53 a.m. Within four minutes, Monroe County dispatchers upgraded it to a commercial structure fire.

Fire crews from Polk, Kunkletown, West End, Blue Ridge, Towamensing and Franklin Township fire companies were on scene until 6:18 a.m.

“It took a lot to overhaul and to check in the walls and ceilings for hot spots,” said Tippett. “We were fortunate to have Middle Creek right there to pull water from, rather than having to shuttle it in the tanker.”

Tippett was not sure where the blaze started or what caused it. It is now under investigation by the fire marshal from the Hazleton barracks.

“The residents got outside on their own. There was no injury to them or the firefighters,” he said.

West End and Wind Gap ambulances were on scene in case of injury.

There is yellow tape going around the porch and side of building, limiting access only to the investigators and building owner. The deli is temporarily closed, and the residents have been displaced until repairs are made.

The Red Cross is helping the residents with temporary housing and other needs.