A family of 8 won’t be sleeping in their home Tuesday night after a fire ripped through it and damaged two other nearby homes.
The fire broke out just before 4pm, at a home located at 324 Spruce Avenue in Altoona.
“This home as been in our family for close to eighty years,” said Sierra Frederick.
This home along Spruce Avenue is left charred.
Frederick is the niece of the homeowner and was shocked when she heard the news.
“Whenever I got the phone call I was kind of speechless I didn’t know what to say or how to react I just knew I needed to come and see it.”
Fire crews quickly doused the flames. Chief Timothy Hileman says the fire could have spread even further than three homes.
“The initial knockdown with the deck guns really saved all 3 of these structures and probably the entire block to tell you the truth because the houses are so close with as much fire that was coming in we’re lucky it was only the 3 houses.”
Frederick says her family is in need of some help to survive.
“Clothes basic toilettries, household items to help them rebuild and get back on their feet so they can at least have some clena clothes for th enext week..
Chief Hileman says the damage was significant.
“The structure itself is saved but it’s going to be some time before the family can move back in.”
Frederick hopes her family home can be saved.
“It’s the hope, we would love to be able to fix what needs to be fixed and keep our family in its home.”
