N. Green Street House Fire Under Investigation

UPDATE, 10:00 a.m. March 14: The Fire Department was back at the site of the Green St. blaze this morning to throw more water on it. Northampton County 911 said it was a routine matter, to douse any potential flare ups.

UPDATE, 9:01 p.m. March 13: The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley was called to assist five families (six adults and three children) displaced by a fire that destroyed the end unit of a row of townhouses at 40 N. Green St. and left Center Square in a haze of smoke.

The Red Cross provided one family with lodging, clothing, food, shoes and toiletry items.

The other families elected to stay with relatives or friends. Assistance for those families included food, clothing and toiletry items.

UPDATE, 4:07 p.m. March 13: Two gas cans were cornered off with police tape Tuesday afternoon after officers from the found them just across the street from a working house fire.

The fire, which destroyed the end unit of a row of townhouses at 40 N. Green St. and left Center Square in a haze of smoke, is under investigation, according to Police Chief Thomas Trachta.

"Borough fire marshal Edward Statler is here on scene and the State Police fire marshal is on his way," Trachta said.

No injuries were reported, and firefighter's were able to save a cat.

There are a total of five townhomes -- 40, 38 and 36 N. Green St. were affected. Trachta said he expects three families to be displaced, but it could be more as the damage was still being assessed around 3 p.m.

Multiple fire departments were dispatched around 2 p.m. to the home just behind the Nazareth post office for a report of a "working dwelling fire."

Flames shot through the back of the house as firefighters worked to cut ventilation holes, and smoke could be seen billowing into the air. Nearby Center Square was in a haze.

According to Northampton County property records, Orwig Property Management owns the row of townhouses.

This isn't the first fire reported in the area, although it is the first to cause devastation.

Two fires were reported on the night of Sept. 26 at 34 N. Green St. and were being investigated as arson, according to a report in the Express-Times.

A little after 8 p.m., was dispatched for a report of a "rubbish" fire.

According to the Express-Times report, a decorative wreath was set on fire, and about 50 minutes later police were called for another fire at the rear of the home.

Then, on Dec. 23 at about 8:45 p.m., The Express-Times reported, someone set a flower pot on fire in the 100 block of N. Green Street. The siding on the house sustained minimal damage.

All of the fires remain under investigation.

Vigilance Hose was assisted Tuesday by , , , and Palmer Municipal Fire Department.

ORIGINAL POST: Multiple fire departments were dispatched to 40 N. Green St. in Nazareth for a report of a "working dwelling fire."

Firefighters saved a row of houses by quickly knocking down the fire in the end unit.

According to Northampton County property records, Orwig Property Management owns the row of townhouses.

There are no reports of injuries.

The fire is in the same geographic area where arson was suspected in and .

Check Nazareth Patch for the latest updates.