The quick work of Tamaqua firefighters Wednesday afternoon saved a number of homes from going up in flames.

The fire started around 1:40 p.m. on the back porch of 244 Mauch Chunk St., according to Tamaqua Fire Chief James Connely.

“It had the potential of spreading to 12 houses,” because the property is in the middle of a row of attached homes, Connely said.

The fire was contained to the back porch, however, an adjoining first floor apartment had some fire and smoke damage.

A second floor apartment also had some damages because firefighters had to force their way inside.

In addition, siding on an adjoining home at 246 Mauch Chunk St. had heat damage, Connely said.

No one was injured.

Connely said the fire was the result of careless smoking. A person at 244 Mauch Chunk St. tossed a lit cigarette into the trash and it ignited.

He said those living on the first floor of 244 Mauch Chunk St. might be temporarily displaced but said after the apartment is aired out, it will be habitable again.