ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- A large fire in downtown Allentown Monday night has compromised the structural integrity of multiple buildings.
Code enforcement officials were out on the 1100 block of Hamilton Street Tuesday morning assessing the damage from Monday night's fire. Officials say the entire building does not need to come down, however, the back portion of the second floor does need to be taken down.
It started at 5:30 Monday night and crews were battling it for roughly four hours.
"It was difficult to get it done quicker, but we did the best we could," Deputy Chief Christian Williams with the Allentown Fire Department, said.
Firefighters were working in temperatures above 90 degrees. They were fighting flames billowing out of the roof and windows of multiple buildings.
"We haven't been inside that judge the total loss of the buildings, but there's definitely damage significant damage to at least two or three buildings," Williams said.
Five buildings in total were impacted, three by fire. The city of Allentown Code enforcement official says the two causing the most concern are 1138 and 1140 Hamilton Street.
"There's significant structural damage to 1138 at 1140," Joseph Franzone, building code official with the city of Allentown, said.
Hamilton Street between 12th and 11th street is closed off to traffic. It should open around 1 or 2 p.m.
"We have to make sure that this whole area is safe before we open up any part of the road."
The American Red Cross says it's helping 21 people who were displaced by the fire, that includes eight children.
Six people were taken to the hospital Monday, five of which are firefighters.
Were told they have non-life-threatening injuries.
