LEBANON, Pa. (WHTM) -
Fire investigators have been unable to determine the cause of a Tuesday morning fire in Lebanon that injured seven people and left 27 without homes.
Officials said the damage to the 500 block of N. 9th Street is so extensive that they have not been able to examine the debris.
The fire started around 4:30 a.m. Hours later, crews knocked down what remained of the row homes.
Most of the families do not speak English, but with the help of translators were able to share stories of what happened.
One father said he heard a large "boom" and then saw flames. He said he had to push his children out of a window to save them.
Del Uhler and his wife heard screams for help and called 911. Uhler said he could see flames quickly spreading through the houses immediately.
Fire Commissioner Duane Trautman said 512 N. 9th had smoke detectors, but the fire had already spread and was out of control by the time firefighters arrived.
"Something went wrong here," Trautman said. "They were obviously alerted in time, but the fire shouldn't have gotten this far along with working smoke detectors."
The American Red Cross is assisting the victims with their food, shelter, and clothing needs.
Two firefighters were among those who required medical attention, but their injuries were not serious.
There was a two-hour delay for students at Northwest Elementary School because the responding fire equipment created traffic problems.
