Tamaqua Fire Chief James Connely said preliminary information on the fire at 266 W. Cottage place shows it is accidental.

Connely said he spoke with State Police Fire Marshal John Burns who said the origin is the first floor kitchen.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, he said.

Burns is still investigating the incident. He did not return a call for comment.

The male flown to the hospital is under 18, Connely said, declining to provide his name or condition. He was visiting the home. Three adults and two children lived in the rental home that was destroyed. The mother was awake at the time and alerted other family members to the fire, Connely said. All escaped before firefighters arrived. A neighbor called 911. Two dogs died in the fire.

Neither the renters or the homeowner had insurance. A damage estimate was not available. The fire was contained in about an hour.

An employee of the Schuylkill County Communications Center said the fire was called in at 11:54 p.m. Monday.

A Tamaqua police officer was first to arrive on scene and noticed heavy fire.

“The building was pretty much all involved,” Connely said.

The Red Cross provided assistance to those affected.

Responding to the scene were the Tamaqua Fire Department, Tamaqua Ambulance, Lehighton ALS, Mahoning Ambulance, and Panther Valley Rapid Intervention Team.

Kathy Montesrin, director of operations for God’s Providing Hands Food Pantry in Coaldale, has decided to help the fire victims. A friend of the fire victims contacted the organization about helping.

“This family has really lost everything,” Montesrin said.

Donations of non perishable food items, clothing and personal hygiene products can be dropped off at 149 Second St. Coaldale on the porch. Call 570-436-0024 with questions.