A house fire burned through several homes and garages near Milford, Delaware, Christmas evening, police said.
Fire officials arrived in the 390 block of Bay Avenue around 7:45 p.m. in Slaughter Beach, Sussex County.
The fire had already spread to at least three homes and two garages, WDEL reported. Two of the houses were completely destroyed and an elderly woman injured herself while attempting to grab her belongings.
Michael Chionchio, an assistant state fire marshal with the Kent County Division, says high winds spread the Monday evening blaze in the residential neighborhood. Fire companies were still on the scene as of 1:15 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Memorial Volunteer Fire Company Chief Terry Jester says heat from the fire ignited propane tanks in the area.
In a Tuesday statement, Chionchio said the heavy fire damage is expected to exceed $500,000.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
