16 Ashland residents were displaced after a fire damaged several homes/apartments Monday afternoon.
At 2:23pm, fire crews were called to the area of 420 Middle Street in Ashland for a house fire.
Assistant fire chief Charlie Orth was the first to respond to the scene and reported a column of smoke was able to be seen as he approached.
Heavy fire was found in the rear of the home and the fire was quickly upgraded to a 3rd alarm calling in additional units from around Schuylkill County, Northumberland County, and Columbia County. A tanker task force was also dispatched.
Everyone that was home at the time was able to escape uninjured.
In all, 16 people were displaced with 15 of them being helped by the American Red Cross.
The fire severely damaged the addresses of 226, 220, and 218 Centre Street with some damage to 216.
One bystander was injured.
The fire was marked under control about an hour and half later with some crews being released by 4:30pm.
A State Police Fire Marshall arrived at the scene Monday evening to investigate.
Ashland Police, Butler Township Police, and Girardville Police also responded to the scene to assist.
As of late Monday, there is no word on what caused the fire.
