Fire damages house in Pottsville

March 20--POTTSVILLE -- Six people were displaced after a fire damaged a home Monday on West Norwegian Street.

Pottsville Fire Chief James E. Misstishin Sr. said the fire at 807 W. Norwegian St. was contained to the third-floor attic. There were no injuries reported.

"The third floor of the structure has heavy fire damage," he said.

The fire in under investigation, Misstishin said.

Renee Wetzel, a volunteer with the Tri-County Chapter of the American Red Cross, said the displaced were Keval Williams, 19, Jaheim Gregory, 16, Joel Issac, 33, Malechi Issac, 10, Makayle Issac, 6, and Michelle Gregory, 37. Michelle Gregory was the only one not home at the time of the fire. Wetzel said the property is a rent to own and the renters did not have renter's insurance. The Schuylkill Parcel Locator lists the owner of the home as Benjamin E. Kovaleski IV and Benjamin E. Kovaleski III.

A supervisor with the Schuylkill County Communications Center said the fire was called in at 6:12 p.m., and all seven of the city's fire companies responded.

He said the house also has smoke and water damage. A damage estimate was not available.

Misstishin said the house had working smoke detectors on the first and second floors, but not the third.

The occupants heard the smoke alarms on the second floor and smelled smoke. They went to the attic and tried to fight the fire with a fire extinguisher and water before evacuating, Misstishin said.

Misstishin said homes at 803, 805 and 809 Norwegian St. sustained smoke damage on their third floors.

Schuylkill EMS, Schuylkill Haven Rapid Intervention Team and Pottsville police also responded to the scene.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

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