ROCHESTER, Pa. — Investigators are working to determine the cause of a massive fire that destroyed two homes Friday morning in Beaver County.
The fire broke out a home on Lacock Street in Rochester Township around 12:30 a.m.
Flames and smoke could be seen for miles, and loud booms were heard from an exploding propane tank. The flames eventually spread to a home next door.
John Baycura told Channel 11 that he ran to that home and banged on the door, telling everyone inside to get out.
"They had a baby. I bet that baby was less than nine months old. The baby had a diaper on, but that's it. Even the husband had no shirt on,” said Baycura.
Three hours after the initial call, crews still didn’t have the fire under control.
“The hydrants were frozen. We had a hard time getting hydrants open,” said Rochester Fire Chief Ed Hermick. “The hoses were frozen, and we had to charge a second line to do some more work, and those hoses were frozen.”
A Channel 11 News viewer sent us cellphone video of the intense flames (WATCH ABOVE).
Hermick said a warming tent was setup so firefighters could rotate in and out of battling the flames and trying to stay warm.
He said it was one of the coldest fire fights he had ever experienced.
"As you can see, the guys who are doing the work with the water on the coats, they look like snowmen. They are just frozen like ice,” said Hermick.
Both homes were destroyed by the flames, but no injuries were reported.
A backhoe was brought in later Friday morning to help clear debris so firefighters could put out hot spots.
Hermick said the state fire marshal will be out to investigate and determine the cause of the fire.
The family that had to leave the home they were renting is staying with family.