Quick-thinking neighbors and speedy responses by police and firefighters helped contain a fire Thursday in a West Earl townhouse.
A pair of neighbors who noticed smoke coming from a home at 60 Eagle Drive used garden hoses to help contain the fire to the dining room, said Nate Stoltzfus, deputy chief of West Earl Fire Company.
Still, the fire, which began about 4 p.m. in the Eagle View East development home, caused about $75,000 in damage, mostly from smoke and heat.
The blaze left two adults homeless, authorities said.
West Earl Township police joined the neighbors shortly after the fire started and used fire extinguishers to help combat the blaze.
Firefighters, led by the West Earl Fire Company, then arrived and had the fire out by 4:25 p.m., Stoltzfus said.
"Without any intervention, the fire would have been a lot more damaging," Stoltzfus said.
The home is owned by Scott and Sherry Disney.
American Red Cross of the Susquehanna Valley volunteers responded to the fire and are assisting the displaced family with lodging, food and other needs.
Neighbors in the adjoining townhouse were not affected by the fire, Stoltzfus said.
"It's been our experience that the homes in the development are well-constructed and have quality firewalls," he said.
Units responding to the blaze included the Akron, Lititz and Farmersville fire companies and Ephrata Rescue and Ephrata EMS.
E-mail: pburns@lnpnews.com
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