Two families were displaced by a three-alarm fire that decimated their homes early Saturday morning in Walnutport.

Diamond Fire Company of Walnutport fire Chief Michael Wentz said firefighters were dispatched at 3:47 a.m. to the 700 block of Williams Avenue.

Wentz said homes at 715 and 723 Williams Ave. were destroyed by the rapid moving fire that began in the garage at 715 Williams Avenue.

“When the first truck got there, the 715 home was fully involved (and) there was fire (in the roof of) 723,” Wentz said. “Once crews arrived on scene and they saw a confirmed fire in two places, they did strike the third alarm.”

Wentz said a total of six people were displaced, including four adults and two children.

He said there were no injuries, but that a cat at 715 perished. A dog made it out of the fire. Both homes are a total loss.

Wentz said firefighters attacked the fire by immediately trying to stop what was burning at 723 and then tried to get water on 715 and established water supply.

“The second alarm was struck as soon as the truck went responding,” he said. “Everybody could see as they were coming to the station the smoke and flames in the air.”

Wentz said the fire was under control within about two hours, as firefighters used class A foam to suppress everything to make sure there was nothing more that would creep up.

He said that as of Monday morning, the cause of the fire is accidental, is not believed to be suspicious, and remains under investigation by a state police fire marshal.

Wentz said firefighters remained on scene for over four hours.

He said also assisting at the scene were the Slatington Fire Department, Lehigh Township Fire Department, Emerald Fire Department, Slatedale Fire Department, Friedens Fire Department, Germansville Fire Department, Neffs Fire Department, Palmerton Fire Department, Aquashicola Fire Department, Lehighton Fire Department, Northampton Fire Department with their RIT, Woodlawn Fire Department (South Whitehall), Northern Valley Emergency Medical Services, Lehigh County Rehab Task Force, Walnutport Police Department, and the state police fire marshal.

“All the fire companies worked well together; when there’s a fire of that magnitude, you’re fighting a losing battle from the time you get dispatched,” Wentz said. “But everybody worked together and pulled together, there were no injuries, no loss of life; that’s the main thing I’m thankful for.”

He also noted that a lot of the residents that were there were good to the firefighters.

Wentz said the American Red Cross was called immediately, and noted both families are staying with relatives.

“The Red Cross is assisting them with some vouchers, monetary assistance to get them back on their feet,” he said. “They were fabulous to both (families); both families shared that with me.”

The Walnutport Police Department posted word of the fire Sunday on its Facebook page.

“Nobody was injured, but both families lost nearly everything they own and they are going to need the support of our community to help both families get back on their feet,” the post states. One of the family member is a former police officer for this department and spent many years protecting the community that he lives in. The other family is known to our officers because they are great supporters of our police department.”

The police department said anyone who is willing to donate anything may contact Jackie Bauer to make arrangements for the drop off.

Donations may be dropped off at 710 Williams Ave., Walnutport.

Patricia Ingles contributed to this report.