AMBRIDGE (KDKA) – Firefighters saw flames shooting out 10 to 12 feet from both the first and second floors as they pulled up to the 600-block of Olive Lane in Ambridge, Beaver County.

“I didn’t even know the houses were on fire; I was sleeping,” says Melissa Macik.

Winds whipped up, fanning the fire and spreading to a second and then a third house.

“This is an older neighborhood, older homes. The houses are close together,” said Ambridge Fire Chief David Drewnowski.

They believe the fire began in a vacant building, but a contractor was doing some remodeling inside and left to pick up more materials just after 9 p.m.

Ambridge Police Officer Mike Natale was one of the first one scene.

“We went in, broke open the doors, got some residents, got some dogs out,” he said.

Macik never heard all the commotion.

“And he said, ‘You gotta get out right now!’ And I walk out and there’s all this going on, and I’m – ‘What in the world!’” she said.

Amid squalling snow, from aerial ladders and at ground level, nearly a half-dozen companies poured water on the blaze.

Two houses are total losses and will be demolished. Four people have been displaced.

After the noon hour, they were still putting out hot spots.

There were no serious injuries. One police officer was taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation.

The investigation into this fire will continue.

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