Investigators in Lackawanna County said a burning cigarette near a couch sparked a fire on a porch Friday morning. The flames spread, forcing two families from their homes.
At 4 a.m. a typically quiet Carbondale neighborhood started bustling with activity.
Firefighters arrived after crews said a couch on the upstairs porch of a Laurel Street apartment house caught fire. Seven people lived upstairs, including Susan James.
"My brother-in-law starts yelling, 'Get up! Get up! Fire!' so we all ran out of the house," James said.
Her mother, Donna LaRoche said her son-in-law lives with her and tried to put out the fire on the couch. He was hurt while trying to toss the burning furniture off the porch. Flames then spread to the home.
"He picked up the couch while it was on fire and threw it over the balcony but he couldn't because. That 2x4 was in the way so he just burned his hands," LaRoche said.
She added her family doesn't have renters insurance but is glad all seven of them are okay.
Neighbors said a mother and her daughter live in the first floor apartment.
In addition to all of the fire and smoke damage this building also now has no power which is why all nine people who lived there now have to stay with loved ones.
With the two families temporarily out of their homes, the American Red Cross is stepping in to help.
LaRoche said she's already been given clothing vouchers but more than anything, she is glad her childrens' photos and birth certificates were spared by the early-morning fire.
At 4 a.m. a typically quiet Carbondale neighborhood started bustling with activity.
Firefighters arrived after crews said a couch on the upstairs porch of a Laurel Street apartment house caught fire. Seven people lived upstairs, including Susan James.
"My brother-in-law starts yelling, 'Get up! Get up! Fire!' so we all ran out of the house," James said.
Her mother, Donna LaRoche said her son-in-law lives with her and tried to put out the fire on the couch. He was hurt while trying to toss the burning furniture off the porch. Flames then spread to the home.
"He picked up the couch while it was on fire and threw it over the balcony but he couldn't because. That 2x4 was in the way so he just burned his hands," LaRoche said.
She added her family doesn't have renters insurance but is glad all seven of them are okay.
Neighbors said a mother and her daughter live in the first floor apartment.
In addition to all of the fire and smoke damage this building also now has no power which is why all nine people who lived there now have to stay with loved ones.
With the two families temporarily out of their homes, the American Red Cross is stepping in to help.
LaRoche said she's already been given clothing vouchers but more than anything, she is glad her childrens' photos and birth certificates were spared by the early-morning fire.
