Seven Allentown, Pennsylvania Homes Gutted by Fire

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) -- A fire apparently started by someone cooking french fries destroyed seven row houses and damaged six others early Tuesday.

No one was seriously injured in the fire, which began around 3 a.m. on North Street. Six people, including two firefighters, were taken to hospitals. All were treated and released, except for one firefighter who was under observation, officials said.

A resident said his relative started the fire accidentally when a deep fryer overflowed while the relative was cooking french fries. Fire officials said the cause was still under investigation.

Only the attached masonry facades of the seven homes survived the fire, while three other homes were heavily damaged. A total of 31 people lived in the 13 fire-damaged homes.

The fire caused an estimated $550,000 in damage, officials said.