An SUV crashed into a Lower Macungie house Thursday evening, sparking a blaze that went to two alarms and forced firefighters to evacuate the structure because it was in danger of collapsing.
One person in the vehicle was taken to the hospital for treatment but no occupants of the house or firefighters were injured, according to the Lower Macungie Township Fire Department. Two people helped the driver of the SUV and the resident of the house get out. Firefighters also rescued a pet cat.
The crash and fire were reported at 5:45 p.m. in the 6100 block of Sauterne Drive. A second-alarm was struck a short time later.
Around 6 p.m., firefighters were ordered to evacuate the house. Water was poured from aerial hoses to douse the bulk of the fire before firefighters re-entered the house to fully extinguish the blaze.
Photos show the charred remains of the car entirely inside the house.
The incident is under investigation by state police and the township fire marshal.
Township Commissioner Brian Higgins commended firefighters in a Facebook post.
“We are so fortunate to have such a highly trained and professional fire department,” he wrote. “The home looks like a total loss, but without their quick work, it could have been much worse.”
Seven area fire departments assisted: Trexlertown Fire Company, Greenawalds Fire Department, Topton Fire Department, Western Salisbury Fire Department, Woodlawn Fire Department, Kutztown Fire Department and Allentown Fire Department. Macungie Ambulance Corps provided emergency medical assistance.
