On Monday Lehighton Borough Manager Dane DeWire discussed the fire on June 20 that destroyed homes on 322-324 N. First St.

DeWire told Council he spoke with the fire department and fire chief before 11 p.m. the day of the incident.

He said he was on site to meet the fire chief at 8:30 a.m. the following day to review the damage. By 9 a.m., the state police fire marshal was on site.

That borough engineer Vanessa Nedrick said the building was a safety risk to pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic on Route 209 traveling through Lehighton and that it should be demolished immediately.

He said Northeast Industrial Services had the front-half of the building on the ground by 4:30 p.m., stabilized the structure, and completed the remainder of the demolition on June 24.

DeWire said that while the original demo fee was $12,000, it only wound up costing $7,500, as Northeast provided the borough a discounted demo fee. DeWire added he was hopeful the borough would get reimbursed.

Borough fire Chief Patrick Mriss thanked the rehab unit, borough police department, Public Works Department, Light & Power Department, DeWire, all the mutual aid departments that responded, the fire police that assisted, Lehighton Ambulance, and all the community for their assistance for providing food and drink to the responders.

“Fortunately there were no injuries,” Mriss said. “Unfortunately, we lost two (buildings).”

Borough police Chief Troy Abelovsky praised the fire department for how it handled the fire, which he said was due to the department’s dedication to training.

Abelovsky also acknowledged “the outpouring of support from the community.”

Advanced Auto along Route 443 will conduct a car wash starting at 9 a.m. July 27 for the Ferguson family.

Christine Ferguson and her three sons lost everything in the fire. Alfie’s has set up a box for collections for the Ferguson family. A GoFundMe has also been set up.

GoFundMe accounts are also set up for other victims, including Jessi Ferrey and her family. Sapore’s is hosting a fundraiser for the family on July 10.