TREMONT, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A massive fire destroys several buildings and leaves 24 people without their homes in Schuylkill County.
Crews say the flames broke out at 11:30 a.m. Sunday and continued into Monday morning.
28/22 News spoke with a neighbor who says the fire took a big hit on the small community of Tremont.
"About 11:00 a.m., actually my dad had the dog out, and he said he heard a loud bang, pop, boom, whatever you wanna call it," said Rodney Updegrave, a neighbor.
Updegrave describes the devastating fire that happened right next to his home on East Main Street in Tremont.
The fast-moving fire destroyed multiple businesses, including apartments, a pizza restaurant, and a flower shop.
"Til we got outside, the flames were already shooting out the back side of Dee's Flower Shop," Updegrave explained.
It took crews hours to tame the fire, with the flames reigniting multiple times throughout the day Monday.
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An excavator was brought onto the scene to tear down what remains of the buildings.
"It's horrible. I've lived here my whole life and this town between fires and floods has seen its days," Updegrave continued.
Updegrave says the loss of the two small businesses will take a toll on his town.
"There aren't many businesses left in Tremont so it's not good to see," Updegrave added.
The fire leaves 24 people without homes.
The Red Cross is assisting them with shelter.
Crews say there were no injuries, but several pets were lost.
The close-knit community is now left to pick up the pieces.
"It's a small town and everyone knows everyone. So Tremont will come together. They always do," said Updegrave.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
