A fast-moving, wind-driven fire destroyed multiple apartments and homes on Christmas Day in Nesquehoning.

The three-alarm blaze broke out around 4:30 p.m., as one of the affected families was about to sit down for Christmas dinner in the 200 block of West Catawissa Street when the power went out.

“I went to open my front door at 218 W. Catawissa and saw the wires sparking in the leftover snow. The power went out and poof,” Susan Wilson Fagan wrote. “Please keep us and the other 2 families in your prayers.”

Everyone made it out of the home, she said, but their cat, Diva, is still missing. The family posted a photo of the cat on social media.

Firefighters from throughout Carbon and Schuylkill counties responded to fight the fire, which spread rapidly.

Other firefighters manned neighboring stations to provide additional coverage to the area, while a rehabilitation tent was set up to provide relief for those battling the fire.

Nesquehoning Fire Chief John McArdle said fire started in 218 W. Catawissa St. and spread to 222, 216 and 212 W. Catawissa St. Everyone made it out of the two double homes, one of which also contained apartments, he said. No one was injured in the fire, and a third alarm was called to bring in additional manpower on the holiday, the chief said.

A state police fire marshal was on the scene late Thursday night, and the cause of the fire is undetermined, McArdle said. Three of the properties were insured that fire officials, and are waiting to hear on the fourth, as the owner was unavailable. Insurance companies will continue to investigate the cause, McArdle said.

The Nesquehoning VFW posted that it is accepting monetary donations for members and friends, Holly Reese and John McCole, who are among the fire victims. Monetary donations will be accepted at the VFW Canteen as well as the Sokol Club.

Confessions Tavern, which is across the street from the fire, posted that they also know Holly and will be putting out a collection jar to help.

A GoFundMe for the victims (https://www.gofundme.com/f/nesquehoning-fire-victims) has also been set up by Jordan Rearick, saying that multiple families, children and pets have been displaced.

Wayne Whitehead posted that his daughter and her boyfriend lived in the house at the end and are also displaced, thanking those setting up funds and spreading the word.

The American Red Cross is assisting 13 people, including four small children. Community members also assisted with immediate needs yesterday, providing diapers and cat litter for the families after a call went out for help.

Responding fire companies included the three Nesquehoning fire companies, Nesquehoning Hose Co. No. 1, New Columbus, Hauto Fire; Jim Thorpe, Lansford, Weatherly, Hometown, Lehighton, Palmerton, Tamaqua for Rapid Intervention Team, L&L for rehabilitation, and Lehighton Ambulance and Lehighton Ambulance Rehabilitation.