A fire which caused extensive damage to three connected homes in Summit Hill on Wednesday was electrical in nature.

Ronald Yuricheck, assistant fire chief in Summit Hill, said a state police fire marshal investigated and determined the cause was electrical and

originated in the residence of James and Karen Smith, 138 E. McMurtrie St.

The fire spread to a vacant house at 136 E. McMurtrie St., and then to the Vincent Pavlik residence at 134 E. McMurtrie St.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, heavy flames were shooting from the front of the three dwellings.

Nobody was home at the Smith residence when the fire occurred. The Smiths have three children ages 15 to 18.

Three cats in their home died but a dog was rescued. A cat in the Pavlik home also died.

Pavlik, in his 80s, lives with his daughter, Marian. Marian was at work.

Vincent was home and heard a popping noise. When he looked out his front door, he spotted the fire.

Fire departments from seven communities responded.

There has been an outpouring of support for the Pavlik and Smith families.

They are currently residing in hotels and with families until they are permanently in a home again there isn't much storage.

Since so many still want to help until the insurance companies take care of things, the Summit Hill borough, Save Our Bubble and the Heritage Center is asking for gift cards to use at time of need. Cards for grocery store, clothing stores, Walmart or Visa cards would be more of a help.

There are also three high school children at a loss so anything fun to keep their mind off of things.

Gofundme sites have also been set up:

https://www.gofundme.com/2tpcghdf for the Smith family and

https://www.gofundme.com/94pgzd8k for the Pavlik family.