HARRISBURG, Pa. — Ring doorbell video captured the moment flames broke out inside a row home in the 600 block of Ross Street in Harrisburg early Thursday morning, sending several families running for their lives.
“I ran out and a whole bunch of other people did and we all just started beating on doors, throwing trash cans and whatever at windows and everything," said neighbor Khaldun Rasheed.
It was a quick response that helped everyone get out safely. One person was hurt after jumping off a roof, according to Chief Brian Enterline of the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire. Another was treated for smoke inhalation. They're both expected to be okay.
“I just thank God nobody died," said Rasheed. "It was horrible, just horrible.”
The houses that caught fire are a different story.
“The neighbors told us ‘You guys have to get out of here now’ so we left and that was it," one woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, told FOX43. She lived in one of the destroyed homes with her husband and three children. "We come back and the house is completely destroyed.”
She continued, “We’re homeless now. But at least we’re alive, you know what I’m saying. It could have been worse and thank God I woke up. I’m grateful.”
Chief Enterline says in this row of 12 homes, the outcome could have been even worse. Firefighters were able to contain the flames to three homes.
“It was extreme work [firefighters] do right out the gate getting here, fast response time," said Chief Enterline. "That really saved the lives and saved the properties on this entire row here on Ross Street.”
The cause of the fire was determined to be a malfunctioning dehumidifier. The Red Cross was on scene Thursday morning helping victims. The organization is reportedly assisting ten people, six adults and four children.
Below you can see Ring camera video from a neighbor showing how people acted to alert others to the spreading fire:
