Two juveniles have been arrested after investigators accused them of sparking a devastating six-alarm blaze that tore through an empty Pennsylvania factory before leaping across the street and destroying houses, leaving dozens of people homeless.
The two youths, whose names have not been released due to their young ages, are being held on charges including arson, conspiracy, recklessly endangering another person and causing a catastrophe.
The arrests came two days after the massive inferno erupted in Allentown, sending towering flames and thick black smoke into the night sky as more than 100 firefighters battled to stop the blaze from swallowing an entire neighborhood.
Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca announced the charges on Friday, saying the investigation remains active.
Officials have not disclosed what investigators believe led the juveniles to allegedly start the fire.
The blaze broke out shortly before 8:40pm on Wednesday at a long-vacant furniture factory on North Front Street.
Within minutes, flames engulfed the aging industrial building before spreading to several occupied homes directly across the street.
Residents were forced to flee through their back doors as the flames encroached, while police shut down surrounding streets and urged nearby neighbors to shelter in place.
Two juveniles have been charged with arson after investigators said they were responsible for the six-alarm fire that devastated part of Front Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania on Wednesday
Investigators said the flames spread from the abandoned factory to several occupied homes across the street, forcing residents to flee through their back doors
Fire crews can be seen on the site of the enormous blaze on Wednesday night
Large flames and dense smoke could be seen shooting high above the neighborhood as firefighters rushed to contain what quickly escalated into a six-alarm emergency.
More than 100 firefighters worked through the night battling the inferno, with crews remaining at the scene throughout Thursday as investigators began combing through the destruction.
At the height of the emergency, thousands of homes and businesses lost electrical power as utility crews worked to secure damaged infrastructure.
Officials said Friday that 30 adults and six children remain displaced by the fire, with the American Red Cross continuing to provide assistance to families forced from their homes.
The fire was so intense it damaged several homes across the street
Upper Saucon Volunteer Fire Department posted photos of fire crews battling the blaze
Authorities have not said whether anyone suffered injuries during the blaze
More than 100 firefighters responded to battle the fast-moving inferno, working through the night before bringing the blaze under control
Homes can be seen directly across the street from the fire. Officials said 30 adults and six children remain displaced by the blaze, with the American Red Cross assisting
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk gave an update on the massive 6-alarm fire on 301 N. Front Street
This is how the houses and abandoned factory across the road, right, looked before the blaze
Authorities have not said whether anyone suffered injuries during the blaze.
The factory, which had stood vacant for years, was already slated for demolition as part of a future redevelopment project before it was destroyed by the fire.
The criminal investigation into the devastating fire remains ongoing.