Pennsylvania

Massive Fire Destroys Vacant Warehouse in Allentown

The three-alarm fire started at a warehouse on North 15th Street around 6:30 p.m.

Firefighters have contained a large fire that destroyed a vacant warehouse in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Sunday evening.

But more than 12 hours after the fire erupted, smoke continues to billow into neighboring areas.

The three-alarm fire started at a warehouse on North 15th Street around 6:30 p.m. A firefighter suffered a minor burn to his hand. He was treated and released. No other injuries were reported.

Officials warned residents and firefighters to avoid the immediate area surrounding the exterior of the building because of structural damage from the fire itself but also water used to extinguish it.

The warehouse was once home to a garment manufacturer, according to Nat Hyman, a real estate developer who purchased the property more than two years ago. 

Former occupants left trailer loads of trash inside the building, according to Hyman, who told NBC10 the building was supposed to be cleaned Monday. He planned to renovate it and turn it into an apartment complex.

Hyman said the building is a total loss and was not insured since it was a vacant property.

Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire. Hyman believes it was arson because he shut off the power to the building in June.

Hyman said someone previously broke into the building in May and started a fire, though the damage was minor compared to Sunday.

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