Christmas Eve fire damages multiple homes in Chester, Delaware County

CHESTER, Pa. (WPVI) — A fire that tore through four rowhomes in Chester on Christmas Eve displaced eight people and killed one cat, officials said.

The fire broke out minutes before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday on the 900 block of West 7th Street, sending flames and smoke billowing into the sky.

Firefighters arriving on scene encountered heavy fire conditions and quickly called for additional help.

No injuries were reported.

“They instantly struck a second alarm which brought the recall of off-duty personnel as well as fire departments from surrounding municipalities,” said Chester Fire Commissioner John-Paul Shirley.

Flames spread from a corner home to three neighboring rowhouses, traveling through the attic space, Shirley said.

“The fire wound up extending into three other row homes through the cockwall space in the attic, it was just a lot of fire and crews had their hands full,” he said.

Shirley said there were no reports of anyone missing and that all residents were accounted for.

Eight people were displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross.

“It’s horrible to happen anytime but it’s especially horrible you know on the holidays, tomorrow’s Christmas, there might be Christmas presents in the houses that now families aren’t gonna be able to get but we’ll do everything we can to help them out. The most important thing though is that everyone’s OK,” Shirley said.

Neighbors watched the scene unfold as firefighters battled the blaze, which burned through the roofs of at least two homes and caused partial roof collapses, according to Shirley.

Crews remained on scene extinguishing hot spots before going inside to determine whether the buildings are structurally sound.

James Reed, who lives nearby, said he saw the fire rapidly intensify.

“I heard the fire engines coming by, I look out the window I seen that they had a line, look down here and seen smoke and I went in the house put a coat on and by the time I came out it burst into flames. I believe it was like a common roof and just everything went berserk,” Reed said.

Reflecting on other recent tragedies, Reed said the timing made the fire especially difficult to witness.

“It’s terrible I mean, so much has happened this week… State Police getting shot down in Delaware, the thing up in Bristol, it’s always around Christmas Eve… Something always happens. Just have faith in God,” he said.

The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation.