Tamaqua fire leaves six homeless

June 04-- Jun. 4--TAMAQUA -- Six people are temporarily homeless after a fire damaged two homes in the borough on Monday.

Tamaqua firefighters were called to 130 Penn St. around 5:25 p.m. for a report of a structure fire with entrapment and found fire to the rear of that building as well as at an attached home at 128 Penn St.

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames and keep most of the fire to the back exterior walls of the homes.

On Tuesday, morning Yvonne Belisle, owner of the 130 Penn St. home, with her fiancée Derik Moore, spent time cleaning her yard of burnt debris, waiting to enter and survey the damage.

Belisle and Moore live in the home along with Sean Moore, 12; Brionna Moore, 10; and, Mekia Kennedy, 8.

Belisle said Sean Moore was home alone on the computer when the fire was discovered by a neighbor who called 911.

She said the boy, along with a man at 128 Penn St. who she did not know by name, got out unharmed.

Belisle also said her five dogs, two cats and a turtle also escaped unharmed.

The woman said the damage appears to have been contained to the exterior of the homes but she is waiting to get inside and make sure.

Despite not having insurance, Belisle said the fire could have been tragic.

"It could have been worse," she said. "All that's important is that I have my children and I have my animals."

Belisle said she and her family are being lodged in a local hotel until the home is cleared to be lived in again.

That, she hopes, will not take too long.

To make matters worse, Belisle said her friend -- Beth Kester of Tamaqua -- came to the home with coolers to take food items to her house so they would not spoil.

While doing so, Kester was involved in an accident at the intersection of Spruce and Hunter streets.

Belisle said Kester suffered a broken arm and was taken to a Coaldale hospital for treatment.

"She is my best friend and she got hurt trying to help me," Belisle said.

Tamaqua fire Chief James Connely could not be reached for comment on the cause of the fire but Belisle said she was told a weed wacker outside the back of 128 Penn St. started the blaze.

Showing the back of her home, Belisle pointed to the weed wacker and said it the area around the machine that has the most charring.

All Tamaqua fire companies responded to the blaze along with the Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Tamaqua EMS and Tamaqua Police and fire police.

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