The Red Cross is helping 16 families impacted by Wednesday night’s fire at the Foxwood Manor Apartments in Levittown.
The accidental fire started “in, around or about” an artificial Christmas tree in one apartment, Middletown Township Fire Marshal Jim McGuire said.
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Crews were called to Building 7 of the Foxwood Manor complex around 5 p.m. for reports of fire and explosions, which were initially believed to be natural gas explosions. McGuire said the ” smoke explosions” witnesses saw happened when smoke and oxygen mixed and caused dry wall to collapse.
Fire officials said one firefighter was treated and released from the hospital with minor injuries and a complex resident was treated for shortness of breath.
Firefighters from several Levittown-area volunteer units were able to bring the fire under control in about an hour.
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McGuire said several apartments were damaged, but a fire wall was able to contain the flames from spreading throughout the building.
Chief of Police Joseph Bartorilla said his officers were greeted by think smoke and high heat as they tried to warn residents to flee the building.
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“The responding sergeant and officers arrived quickly and took several doors looking any possibly trapped residents,” the chief said.
Several teens, including one who helped clear residents during last year’s massive Racquet Club Apartments fire, alerted Foxwood Manor residents of Wednesday’s blaze. Reporter Amanda Kuehnle exclusively talked with the heroes Wednesday night.
McGuire said the quick work of firefighters stopped the blaze from causing more damage.
