Blaze Caused $125,000 In Damages To Homes ; City Rowhome Condemned; Investigators Still Working To Determine Cause

The fire that consumed a southern Lancaster city rowhome, forcing three people to jump from a window, caused $125,000 in damages to two homes, fire officials said Friday.

City fire Capt. Ken Barton said Thursday's fire remains under investigation by city and state police fire marshals. They have not yet found the cause.

Fire officials hesitated to call the home a total loss, and they said it will be up to the owners, an insurance company and city housing officials whether the house can be repaired.

The home, at 639 Beaver St., was condemned. Damage was estimated at $75,000 to the home and $25,000 to its contents.

Shannon Erisman, her 3-year-old son and a man in the home were taken to a hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. Their conditions were not known Friday, city fire Capt. David Longenecker said.

The adjoining home at 637 Beaver St. sustained $25,000 damage because firefighters had to cut into walls to ensure flames were not inside them. That home was vacant.