Fire Claims Pets in North Bethlehem

Bethlehem firefighters were able to quickly extinguish a fire that broke out in a Northside rowhome Sunday morning, but apparently not in time to save the lives of two pet parrots.

There were no injuries to people reported in the fire that broke out in the 1400 block of High Street--not far from Liberty High School--shortly before 9am.

By 10am the fire appeared to be out, but an acrid smell of smoke lingered throughout the neighborhood.

At the rear of the home, scorch marks were plainly visible above a second story window from which firemen hurled debris into a cluttered back yard.

Police and fire officials could be seen interviewing family members near the front porch.

The row of homes where Sunday's fire occurred was the same row affected by a large fire that occurred on Christmas Day 2005, neighbors confirmed.

That blaze destroyed several homes at the south end of the row, and an empty field is all that remains where they once stood.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley was called at 11:32 am to help two families displaced by the fire:

• At 1432 High St., a family of three adults was displaced and the Red Cross provided lodging, meals, clothing and toiletry items to the residents. 
• At 1430 High St., a family of four adults and three children was displaced. The Red Cross provided meals and toiletry items to the family who is staying at a local hotel provided through their insurance company.