Authorities have detained two children in connection with a destructive fire that engulfed several properties in Pennsylvania, rendering dozens of residents without homes.
The young, unnamed individuals are believed to have started the fire in Allentown late Wednesday evening around 8:45 p.m. The blaze ignited in a derelict warehouse located on Front Street and rapidly spiraled out of control, as reported by WPVI, a local news station.
The intense six-alarm fire leaped across the street, consuming eight houses, six of which were reduced to ruins, displacing seven families in the process, the outlet noted.
According to fire officials, it was the intense heat emitted from the initial blaze, rather than direct flames, that facilitated the spread from the warehouse.
A firefighter sustained mild injuries during the incident, and no other injuries were reported.
Each suspect is facing charges of arson, recklessly endangering another person, conspiracy and causing a catastrophe, the Lehigh County District Attorney announced Friday.