CHESAPEAKE, Va. — A blaze spread from a shed to nearby houses in Chesapeake Friday night, leaving two families without a home, according to officials.
The Chesapeake Fire Department (CFD) responded to the fire near the corner of Ford Street, between Faulk and Leegate streets, shortly before 10 p.m.
When crews arrived at the scene, flames had fully engulfed the shed and had spread to the back of two nearby homes. Fire officials added that the siding of a third home located on Alice Street was "melting."
Fire spreads from shed to 3 Chesapeake homes
Using multiple hose lines and a variety of fire attacks, crews were able to bring the blaze under control just before 10:20 p.m.
The seven adults and one child inside the homes all escaped without major injuries, CFD said. One person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Due to "significant fire damage" to the homes, the Red Cross responded to help the families find a place to stay.
Investigators are working to learn what caused the blaze.
Neighbors say Friday was a night they will never forget. Yvonne Parker, lives at the house that was damaged on Alice St. She says the heat from the flames was intense.
"We were standing right there, you could feel the heat, that's how close it is...I was scared to death. It was getting bigger and then the smoke got wider and engulfed everything." Parker said.
Other neighbors tell me this is a close community, where "everyone knows everyone." Rev. Vincent Tucker lives on Ford Street. He's thankful no one lost their life in the blast.
"This is just a home, homes can be replaced. But lives cannot." Tucker said.