A police officer rescued a resident from a house fire Thursday morning in Slatington.

Borough fire Chief Austin Berger said firefighters were dispatched at 8:40 a.m. to a fire that was underway at a duplex at 105-107 Fifth St.

“The first one (on scene) was the Slatington Police Department had an officer that got here first, notified Lehigh County of a smoke condition and began searching for any victims that were left inside,” Berger said. “One of the officers did make one save of a resident who was asleep and in bed and was able to get out of the building.”

Borough police officer Anthony Ballerini, who is also a volunteer firefighter, arrived on location to find smoke coming from the second level of the home was informed by bystanders that they believed people to still be inside.

Ballerini forced his way into the home and during his search, located the oldest of the children asleep on the second floor in the bedroom adjacent to the room with active fire.

Ballerini was able to wake and escort him out of the home safely and without injury.

All other residents were accounted for and Berger said there were no injuries.

The family of nine, including the parents and seven children, are members of the congregation at Valleyview Baptist Church in Northampton, according to the Rev. Volker Stoeckmann.

“I was with them at the fire,” Stoeckmann said. “They’ve been displaced and are cared for by someone from our church who has opened up their home to them.”

“We are helping with funds already, and will be receiving funds on behalf of the Shoff family, which will go 100% toward their needs,” he said. “We’re thankful that no one was injured; they are a very committed family here in the church, and there’s been a great outpouring of love and support from our church people.”

Stoeckmann said contributions may be made to Valleyview Baptist Church, 2870 Pheasant Drive, Northampton, PA, 18067.

Berger explained how firefighters fought the fire.

“Initially (it was) mostly just a room and contents fire (mostly contained to one of the bedrooms),” he said. “The first arriving units were able to get a quick knock of it.”

Berger said they then began overhaul operations.

Most responders were released from the scene with the exception of two of Slatington’s pieces of apparatus, and the fire marshal and people investigating the blaze on the inside of the house.

“We had another member of another department outside yell into us that something had began burning again inside the roof,” he said. “We came to find that the peak of the roof was definitely pushing smoke out of it across the entire width of both of the halves of the structure; we called for lead dispatch for a dwelling fire.”

Berger said the cause of the fire is undetermined at this point.

He said firefighters were on scene nearly eight hours to deal with suppression, overhaul, cleanup and the initial investigation.

Berger said also assisting at the scene were Diamond Fire Company in Walnutport, Northern Valley Emergency Medical Services, Slatedale Fire Department, Emerald Fire Department, Friedens Fire Department. Lehigh Township Fire Department, Palmerton Fire Department, Neffs Fire Department, as well as several other departments from in and around Lehigh County.

“My kudos to the Slatington police officer that went in before the fire departments (got there) to help get the individual out,” Berger said. “That’s amazing; definitely a big help.”.

The Red Cross was contacted and will be assisting the residents.