A two-alarm fire in neighboring Harrisburg apartment buildings on Wednesday was caused by someone setting off fireworks, city fire officials confirmed.
Harrisburg Deputy Chief Glenn Sattizahn told PennLive investigators are “quite confident” fireworks are to blame for the blaze that broke out around 2:50 p.m. on a back porch on 14th and Swatara streets.
The two residences most affected were 408 and 410 14th Street, both apartment buildings. Sattizahn said they are confident it started in 408. The majority of the damage is between apartments on the second and third floors, he said. The first floors both have smoke and water damage.
The American Red Cross is assisting 12 people from four apartments who were displaced because of the fire, Sattizahn said.
A mother and baby had to be taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, Sattizahn said.
The deputy chief said the heat and an “arching and sparking” overhead electric line made it difficult for firefighters to put the fire out.
One firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion, and another was shocked while firefighters worked to put out the blaze.
One of them has already returned to work and the other will be back Saturday, Sattizahn said.
Sattizahn did not reveal many other details Friday, citing the active investigation.
Staff writer Becky Metrick contributed to this report.
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