24 Residents Displaced, Fireman Hospitalized In Norristown Blaze

NORRISTOWN, PA — The devastating multi-alarm blaze in Norristown over the weekend left two dozen residents without a home and landed one firefighter in the hospital, officials confirmed.

The incident occurred at the Montgomery Mills Apartment on Kelly Drive in the borough at around 2:27 p.m. Saturday.

The 7500 building of the complex took the brunt of the damage, officials said. Crews on the scene found heavy fire there, which rapidly spread to the 7400 building as well.

More than 200 firefighters responded to the scene to extinguish the blaze, which quickly grew to three-alarms. Crews fought through Saturday's hot and humid conditions in heavy protective gear to control the fire and were able to prevent it from spreading further. One firefighter suffered from heat exhaustion, and was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

When all was said and done, the 7500 building was completely destroyed, while the 7400 building was severely damaged, authorities said. The 7300 building also suffered some lesser damage.

>>Norristown Fire: Multi-Alarm Blaze At Montgomery Mills

An investigation into the blaze is underway. A cause has not been announced.

Residents from 20 apartments - 24 individuals in total - were left without a home.

A GoFundMe campaign for one of the displaced residents, Lauren, has been launched. More than $6,000 had already been raised on her behalf as of Monday morning.

"Although she was able to come out unharmed she lost ALL of her personal belongings to the fire," Joe Kekoanui wrote in the GoFundMe. The same is likely true of the rest of the displaced residents.

Officials said the Montgomery Mills management is working to find a place for the displaced residents to stay.

The Norristown Fire Department thanked all of the surrounding fire companies, along with North Penn Goodwill and Plymouth Community Ambulances, for assisting on the scene.

Image via Norristown Fire Department