A fast moving wind swept fire displaced at least 15 Allentown residents Sunday afternoon.
The fire started in a row home on the 500 block of North 7th Street about 12:30pm.
"The smoke was unbearable. It was coming at your face" said Jacob Washington, whose family's apartment was gutted.
When firefighters arrived, flames could be seen coming from the first and second floor windows. Video from a mobile phone captured flames as they shot out of a first floor window.
Scroll down to see a slideshow of images from the fire.
The fire quickly grew to 3 alarms due to the 20 mile-per-hour wind gusts in the area.
Tina Washington, who lives on the third flood, was rescued from her home by a neighbor and four sons while flames and blinding smoke billowed from the home.
"The fire was on my porch. And somebody grabbed me off the porch" said Washington.
"My mom was inside. We had to bring her out and over the rail because the flames were touching our side of the house" said son David Washington.
Firefighters say high winds gusting more than 25 miles an hour were a major factor in fueling the fire.
"It definitely was a more difficult fire to fight because the wind actually blew the fire into 507 and accentuated the fire on the second and third floors" said Lee Laubach, Allentown Asst. Fire Chief.
This is the second time in 10 years the Washington family has lost everything to a fire. The local chapter of the American Red Cross is helping them find a hotel Sunday night but on Monday, the search begins for a new home.
"Homeless. That's how I feel. Homeless. I've worked so hard in this town to get to where I need to be" said Tina Washington.
Fire officials are still investigating but the preliminary cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:25:38 GMT
A text message that says "I'm about to leave" is the last time Janet Royer had contact with her son Thursday night. "It's like a nightmare, it's the worst nightmare anyone can think of. I keep thinking
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Kermit Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. The 72-year old abortion provider has waived his right to appeal the first-degree murder charge issued by a jury just one day ago.Dr. Kermit Gosnell
Kermit Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. The 72-year old abortion provider has waived his right to appeal the first-degree murder charge issued by a jury just one day ago.
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It was a heartbreaking Mother's Day for the mom of a shooting victim gunned down on South Street as she travels to Philadelphia to identify the body of her son.
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The shock of Monday's bombing at the Boston Marathon has turned to sadness and anger, but there is a new sense of community and patriotism among the people of Boston.
The shock of Monday's bombing at the Boston Marathon has turned to sadness and anger, but there is a new sense of community and patriotism among the people of Boston.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:45 AM EDT2013-05-22 10:45:09 GMT
Philadelphia police are hoping surveillance video will help them catch the gunmen who shot and killed a teenager in the parking lot of a Rita's Water Ice.
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:50 AM EDT2013-05-22 09:50:07 GMT
Still feels like summer out there. Highs in the mid 80s today. Just like summer, it'll be humid, with a chance of a few spotty showers late in the day.
Tomorrow, strong thunderstorms move through, from the same cold front that caused the midwest tornadoes. That front will also usher in cooler air for the holiday weekend.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:49 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:49:33 GMT
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
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Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:13 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:13:58 GMT
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
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Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:04:07 GMT
Bucks County EMT Bryan Elwell is heading out to Oklahoma to help assist overwhelmed emergency responders dealing with the deadly tornado aftermath in Moore, just outside Oklahoma City. He's prepared
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Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:08:36 GMT
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
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Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:59:26 GMT
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
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Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
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Anthony Weiner's run for a renaissance is officially on.
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The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
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Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:17 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:17:02 GMT
For the first time since the death under mysterious circumstances of hop music mogul Chris Lighty nine months ago, his grieving mother is breaking her silence.
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Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:33:52 GMT
For 35 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been bringing its brand of contemporary dance to audiences around the world. One of the company's frequent stops is the Joyce Theater in Chelsea where it
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Fire investigators comb through a row home after a fire Sunday that displaced 11 residents.
Video captured by a mobile phone shows flames shooting out of a first floor window.
