The cause of a weekend fire in Lancaster County that left one man dead and forced nearly two dozen people out of their apartments remains under investigation."It was just a very horrific situation," Lancaster Township Fire Department Assistant Chief Glenn Usdin said.When firefighters arrived at Kensington Club Apartments in Lancaster Township on Saturday afternoon, flames were coming out of the roof.Charles Knicely, 59, was trapped inside."His brother-in-law came home, opened up the door, heard him screaming, 'Fire! Fire!'" Usdin said.First responders couldn't get him out in time.Usdin said that in the last 10 years, there have been seven or eight major fires at the apartment complex.Some neighbors are wondering if more could have been done to prevent the fire from happening in the first place."The apartment complex can only do so much," Usdin said.Usdin said the building was constructed before rules that would have required fire walls and sprinkler systems.While low water pressure has been a concern in the past, it wasn't during this blaze."As it turned out, the water was not a huge issue at this fire. The main body of fire, all the heavy flames, were extinguished in 15 to 20 minutes," Usdin said.Usdin said the complex does comply with ordinances that require smoke detectors to be installed in each building.Two days after the fire, those alarms were still sounding. It's a sad reminder of all that was lost."I sit at home, and I worry about these people. I don't know them, but it's awful, knowing that they have nothing left anymore," said a neighbor who didn't want to give her name.Usdin said the damage is so extensive that investigators may never determine how the fire started.StatementThe Solomon Organization, which manages the complex, released the following statement:"Investigation:"The fire affected eight townhomes in a single building and we are cooperating with both the Fire Marshal and all additional authorities who continue to conduct an investigation as to the cause of the fire."Relocation of Tenants:"We are working with our residents and with the assistance of local partners, including the American Red Cross, to find temporary and permanent housing accommodations, including within Kensington."Assistance:"Hamilton Elementary and the local School District have offered to provide assistance to the six households who have school age children affected by the fire which will include clothing and supplies. Other assistance from the Red Cross has included stipends and other aid."
LANCASTER, Pa. —
The cause of a weekend fire in Lancaster County that left one man dead and forced nearly two dozen people out of their apartments remains under investigation.
"It was just a very horrific situation," Lancaster Township Fire Department Assistant Chief Glenn Usdin said.
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When firefighters arrived at Kensington Club Apartments in Lancaster Township on Saturday afternoon, flames were coming out of the roof.
Charles Knicely, 59, was trapped inside.
"His brother-in-law came home, opened up the door, heard him screaming, 'Fire! Fire!'" Usdin said.
First responders couldn't get him out in time.
Usdin said that in the last 10 years, there have been seven or eight major fires at the apartment complex.
Some neighbors are wondering if more could have been done to prevent the fire from happening in the first place.
"The apartment complex can only do so much," Usdin said.
Usdin said the building was constructed before rules that would have required fire walls and sprinkler systems.
While low water pressure has been a concern in the past, it wasn't during this blaze.
"As it turned out, the water was not a huge issue at this fire. The main body of fire, all the heavy flames, were extinguished in 15 to 20 minutes," Usdin said.
Usdin said the complex does comply with ordinances that require smoke detectors to be installed in each building.
Two days after the fire, those alarms were still sounding. It's a sad reminder of all that was lost.
"I sit at home, and I worry about these people. I don't know them, but it's awful, knowing that they have nothing left anymore," said a neighbor who didn't want to give her name.
Usdin said the damage is so extensive that investigators may never determine how the fire started.
Statement
The Solomon Organization, which manages the complex, released the following statement:
"Investigation:
"The fire affected eight townhomes in a single building and we are cooperating with both the Fire Marshal and all additional authorities who continue to conduct an investigation as to the cause of the fire.
"Relocation of Tenants:
"We are working with our residents and with the assistance of local partners, including the American Red Cross, to find temporary and permanent housing accommodations, including within Kensington.
"Assistance:
"Hamilton Elementary and the local School District have offered to provide assistance to the six households who have school age children affected by the fire which will include clothing and supplies. Other assistance from the Red Cross has included stipends and other aid."
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