Two people were taken the hospital after a fire at a recovery home in Bristol Township’s Levittown section.
The fire happened just past 8:30 a.m. at the home in the 60 block of Mill Road.
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Newportville Fire Company Deputy Chief Fred Black said crews arrived to find flames throughout the first floor. One person was trapped inside the burning home and residents were helping them get out.
Black said the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad transported the two people to hospitals for treatment.
Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito said the injuries were not immediately clear.
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“One of the occupants came home and found the kitchen involved in fire,” the fire marshal said, adding that resident alerted the other occupants.
Some residents were reported to have fled out of first- and second-floor windows.
The home had no working smoke alarms. One without a battery was located in the residence, Dippolito said.
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“I determined the fire started in the kitchen due to unattended cooking on the stove top,” the fire marshal said.
The recovery home had 15 occupants in the six-bedroom structure, officials said.
Mike Wallick, who owns and operates the recovery home, said the injuries were non-life-threatening, and the fire was started by bacon left unattended on the stove.
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“I’m just thankful that everyone got out,” he told LevittownNow.com.
Wallick disputed the high number of residents and said 10 to 11 people resided in the house, but there are people who stop by from time to time.
The home was badly damaged and left uninhabitable, the fire marshal said.
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The recovery home owner said he is working to find accommodations for the residents.
The safety of area recovery homes has been a worry of officials for years. Due to current laws, it can be hard for municipalities to inspect the homes.
The Levittown No. 2, Newportville, Third District, and William Penn fire companies fought the flames, along with Bristol Township Fire Rescue.
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