A fire, caused by a lithium battery, created serious damages to two homes in Lansford on Monday, displacing 14 people.

The fire broke out in the attic at the home of Michael Rameriz, located at 8 West Abbott St.

Rameriz, who was at work at the time, lives in the home with his wife and 7-month-old child.

It was called into the Carbon County Telecommunications Center by neighbors who saw thick, black smoke spewing from the upper floor of the three-story structure.

Although much of the attic was consumed in fire when they arrived on scene, firefighters initiated an aggressive attack and contained the flames to that area.

The other side of the double-structure had slight fire damage in the attic but smoke and water damage throughout, said Lansford Fire Chief Joseph Greco. That side of the home, 6 West Abbott St., was occupied by four adults, seven children and six dogs.

Greco said the American Red Cross will be assisting the victims.

Greco feels that the occupants at 6 West Abbott St. might be able to return to occupancy in the near future.

The caused of the fire was determined following an investigation by Greco and two Pennsylvania State Police fire marshals, Dan Marada and Zack Martini. Greco said one of the fire marshals said it wasn’t long ago he investigated a fire in another community caused by a lithium battery.

The fire marshals and neighbors praised the quick response by the firefighters as well as their effectiveness at keeping it from spreading to neighboring homes.

Joshua Graham, who lives with his parents, Stephen and Serena Graham at 12 West Abbott St., said he looked outside “and the entire sky was filled with smoke.”

He estimated flames were shooting 10 feet above the chimney. Immediately Joshua began herding his pet dogs and cats to safety.

Graham said, “The firefighting team got here in five minutes. Within 15 minutes the fire was knocked down.”

Greco said not only did the firefighters extinguish the fire, but they also covered furniture in some rooms with tarps and coverings to try to minimize the water damages.

He said the first engine to arrive on the scene had six members, who immediately hooked hoses to a central water supply, which established a water flow within three minutes. They had the scene set for additional responding units to make the full attack.

“I could not be more proud of everybody, especially how their training kicked in,” Greco said.

He said when the first firefighters took hoses inside and moved toward the attic, the attic door was already burning at the top of it.

Graham said at one point a window was broken, and the flames erupted through the opening and began burning the exterior of the home. Firefighters minimized the blaze to just a small area of the house near the attic window.

There were no injuries.

“It really was a great job by everybody,” Greco said.

Firefighters from nine communities responded to the scene. Responding to the scene were firefighters from Lansford, Summit Hill, Coaldale, Nesquehoning, Tamaqua, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, West Penn Township and Tuscarora.

The Lehighton Ambulance personnel assisted and provided drinks for the volunteers.

Fire police handled traffic control.