Crews battled a four-alarm fire overnight that tore through six commercial and residential buildings in the historic downtown section of Oxford, Chester County.
Officials said the fire began around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday on South Third Street, near the intersection with East Locust Street. The blaze began at a warehouse, according to officials, before spreading through several apartment buildings and storefronts to evacuate the entire block.
The Facebook page Chester County Working Fires streamed the blaze into Thursday morning as the flames grew. Crews from surrounding agencies, including in Lancaster County, Delaware, and Maryland, also responded to the fire.
Oxford Borough said in a statement that 25 families with about 90 people were displaced by the fire.
The borough said the affected buildings were mixed-use structures with retail and commercial establishments on the first floor and apartments on the floors above.
No injuries were reported.
Chester County Fire Marshal John Weer told the Daily Local News that the cause was under investigation. “We are still here at the fire,” Weer told the newspaper on Thursday afternoon.
The Oxford Area School District closed schools Thursday “due to a large scale fire in the Oxford Borough.”
The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region has opened a shelter at Penn’s Grove Middle School in Oxford.
“We’re providing individuals and families with comfort and care, including a safe place to sleep, meals, snacks and water, personal hygiene items and emotional support,” Red Cross spokesperson Alana Mauger told reporters. “All those displaced by the fire are welcome.”
As of 9:30 p.m., the Red Cross reported that 37 people had checked into the shelter, which would remain open overnight.
“Chester County Office of Emergency Management and Oxford Neighborhood Services Center will begin transitioning displaced residents from the shelter to hotel rooms for up to 30 days, during which time they will work with families to find permanent housing solutions,” Mauger said in an email.
“The Red Cross will continue to provide casework and emergency assistance, including emotional support, health services and financial assistance, to help these families recover,” Mauger said.
Kathryn Cloyd, Oxford Borough’s council president, said in a statement: “We are saddened that so many residents, many of them with children, have been displaced by this tragedy. We are also saddened by the destruction of some of Oxford’s most historic buildings and will do all we can to support the displaced residents and businesses.”
Mayor Phil Harris said in a statement: “We are grateful for the coordinated response of our emergency services organizations, Borough Public Works and administrative staff. People mobilized quickly. We also thank the several community volunteers that assembled during the night to bring food and drink to residents effected by the fire.”
Donations to help affected residents can be made to Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce at 610-932-0740 or oxfordpa.org. To help businesses affected by the fire, visit Oxford Main Street at oxfordmainstreet.com.
The Maroon Hornet Comics and Collectibles, one of the affected businesses, posted a statement on Facebook Thursday afternoon.
“We are feeling overwhelmed right now among all the other feelings that go with possibly losing your business. Many other businesses and residents have been devastated. Thank you to all of you who have already reached out to offer help. It’s going to be a few days before we know how bad things may be. Asking for prayers for all that have been affected,” the owners said.
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