5 Firefighters Injured In Middletown Township Blaze

Fire officials said three lightning bolts sparked a four-alarm blaze that injured several people, including five firefighters, at a Middletown Township apartment complex Sunday night.

The fire was reported at Windsor at Harper’s Crossing apartments shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday.

Crews were called to 100 Harper’s Crossing after reports of heavy fire conditions.

While some residents were able to safely evacuate, others were trapped on upper floors and later rescued by fire crews.

As of 11 p.m. Sunday, nearly 125 firefighters battled the blaze from the exterior of the building.

As of 12:30 a.m. Monday, fire police on the scene said the three lightning bolts struck simultaneously, sparking the blaze that led to the partial collapse of at least one building in the apartment complex.

Langhorne-Middletown Fire Co. Chief Frank Farry early Monday morning said that five firefighters sustained injuries due to the blaze. Two of those firefighters were transported to St. Mary Medical Center with eye and arm injuries. Another firefighter was transported to Temple University Hospital Burn Center. The extent of injuries sustained by two other firefighters was not yet known. Their identities and conditions were not immediately available.

The Red Cross reported at least six apartment homes as uninhabitable, but that number may climb to include as many as 16 apartment homes. CBS Philly reported that 30 residents were displaced by the fire. The Red Cross said it is offering aid to affected residents. So far, the organization said it is helping six people -- a total of three families -- and is able to help others in need. 

Stay with Levittown Patch for more information on this story as it becomes available.