Two people injured, house deemed total loss after Altoona fire

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Two people sent to the hospital in Altoona Monday from injuries they sustained in a house fire.

Assistant Chief with the Altoona Fire Department, Ralph Lees, said that a 4:17 p.m. on July 1 they were called to the 1000 block of 6th Ave. for a working house fire. Once on scene firefighters found all three floors of the home were fully engulfed. The fire then spread to the attic and second floor of another home.

The fire was then upgraded to a 2nd alarm.

One person was home at the time and was able to escape from the fire. However, they did sustain injuries and were taken to UPMC Altoona. Those injuries were believed to be non-life threatening. Fire Inspector Justin Smithmyer said that a second person was taken to UPMC for non-life threatening injuries as well.

In total, 33 firefighters helped to fight the flames. The first home was deemed a total loss, according to Lees. The second home had significant damage but is still being evaluated to determine if it can be salvaged.

The fire is under investigation and the Red Cross said they helped eight people that were affected by the fire.

The road was closed for several hours, but has since reopened.

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Altoona Police Department, Altoona Fire Department, AMED and the Salvation Army all responded to the scene.

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