A Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal will search for clues after a fire late Saturday in Tamaqua's South Ward left three homeless and displaced seven others.

The fast-moving blaze quickly destroyed attached houses at 129 and 131 Orwigsburg St. An adjacent duplex at 125 and 127 Orwigsburg sustained damage. The intense heat melted vinyl siding on houses located across the street."The whole front was in flames," said South Ward resident Bill Jones.One fire victim said there was little time to act and barely enough time to flee the fast-moving flames."I got up to use the bathroom," said Matt Oliver, 56, owner of 129 Orwigsburg St. "I sensed something was burning. It was already about four feet high and seemed to be at the back wall."Oliver, who said he was in bed when the fire began, ran out the front door without clothing and stood shivering in the cold night air."I was in the middle of the street completely naked," he said.Neighbors rushed to his aid, supplying him with clothes and a blanket.Oliver appeared to have suffered a cut to his leg and was taken to the hospital where he was treated for a sprained ankle.Total lossAlso losing her home was Rozanne Brozyno, owner of 131 Orwigsburg, where she resided with James Heffelfinger.Both were helped out of their smoky home by neighbors and emergency officials."The buildings were destroyed and will be razed upon the completion of the fire investigation," said assistant fire chief James R. Connely on Sunday.Four adults, three children and over one dozen pets from adjacent homes at 125 and 127 Orwigsburg St. are temporarily displaced and living with friends and family.They are: Richard Yost, Arlene Yost and a third occupant of 125 Orwigsburg, and Jennifer Yost and three children of 127 Orwigsburg.According to Connely, buildings damaged by radiant heat include homes across the street at 124 and 126 Orwigsburg St.At 127 Orwigsburg, flame impingement caused damage to siding and burned off telephone and cable lines. That building and the one at 125 Orwigsburg also sustained smoke damage, according to a report issued by Connely.Two parked vehicles, one belonging to Oliver, the other Brozyno, were destroyed by flames.Arcing wiresDowned power lines at the scene created additional danger for firefighters as wires continuously arced on the wet street, throwing off wild sprays of sparks similar to a fireworks show. PPL crews responded and turned off power on the block until about 1 a.m.The fire was declared under control at 11 p.m. and fire crews remained on scene until 2:15 a.m.The blaze drew a few hundred onlookers, many taking photos and video using cellphones. Others simply watched as the persistent fire reignited."I grew up in that house," said Lila Christ of Pine Street. "My parents and grandparents lived there."Christ was able to shed light on some confusion regarding the numbering of the houses. She said 129 Orwigsburg was originally two houses, representing two-thirds of a triplex numbered 129, 129-1/2 and 131. Eventually, the houses at 129 and 129-1/2 were combined to form one larger house. That new, larger house was then called 129. The house originally marked as 129-1/2 ceased to exist.Connely, who also serves as chief, American Hose Company, praised the quick response from all responding units.They included: South Ward, Citizens, East End and American Hose companies, Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Coaldale Fire Company, firefighters from Carbon County Rapid Intervention Team, Tamaqua Ambulance, Tamaqua police, fire police and others.Also responding were Schuylkill County Red Cross and Tamaqua Salvation Army. Both provided assistance to the fire victims and firefighters.Tamaqua Salvation Army Major Sharon Whispell expressed appreciation to Domino's Pizza and Burger King, Tamaqua, for donations of food.