Several people were treated after a row home fire broke out Thursday night in Lansford

Five people were taken to the hospital — four of them from the burning homes. A man was rescued from a second-floor roof where he fled the flames. Firefighters also rescued four dogs that were inside the structures.

The incident happened at about 10:30 and heavily damaged homes at 239, 241 and 243 East Ridge Street. When firefighters reached the scene, heavy smoke was billowing from the top floors of all three of the three-story, attached row homes.

Although no other homes are attached, only a small space exists on each side with neighboring dwellings.

A male was stranded on the second-floor roof of the fire scene and required rescue by police and firefighters.

Joseph Greco, Lansford Fire Chief, said responders arrived at the fire location within four minutes of the call. Immediately Greco summoned mutual aid from neighboring fire departments.

Greco said initially, four people — three adults and a child — were transported by ambulance to a hospital. He said he didn’t know the type or extent of their medical problems. Then at the scene, ambulance personnel transported another male to the hospital after he apparently was overcome by smoke.

The transports were made by the Lehighton Ambulance Corps.

One resident said three families lived in the buildings, but Greco said it isn’t known how many people lived there. He said he will assess the situation and determine if any of the families require assistance from the Red Cross or any other agency.

He said one resident told him the fire started in the kitchen area. He said his initial investigation correlates this. However, a state police fire marshal has been summoned to assist him.

Besides the distress the victims experienced due to the fire, they panicked because four pet dogs were inside the building.

Firefighters maneuvered through the conditions and found all four of the pets. First they brought out two pit bull terriers unharmed and in cages. About 25 minutes later they found a Yorkshire terrier which was badly shaken. A neighbor gave the small dog water, then administered oxygen provided by ambulance personnel. Finally, after about 45 minutes, the fourth Yorkshire terrier was found and appeared to be OK.

Greco said the fire began in the 243 address and spread to 241 East Ridge. At 243 East Ridge, the blaze began on the first floor with flames extending to the upper story. At 241, the fire extended to the second floor of the unit. All three buildings had heavy smoke damage.

Initially, the smoke belching from the buildings was so thick that little more than the lights on the fire apparatus were visible from more than 25 feet.

Greco gave heavy praise to the support his fire department received via mutual aid, as well as by the members of his department.

“It was a phenomenal job by the guys,” he said. “They provided a good water supply to knock down the flames. They worked hard at containment. I can’t thank them enough. It was a great job by all involved.”

Besides the Lansford Fire Department, other fire departments at the scene were from Summit Hill, Coaldale, Jim Thorpe, Nesquehoning, Tuscarora, the Tamaqua Rapid Intervention Team, and the Lehigh & Lausanne Special Operations unit.

Lansford Police Department also assisted.

Fire police handled traffic and crowd control.