6-alarm fire destroys old industrial building in Allentown, Pennsylvania

A massive fire in Allentown, Pennsylvania, has forced nearby residents to evacuate their homes Wednesday night.

According to Lehigh County Dispatch, the six-alarm fire started burning at an old commercial building in Allentown around 8:40 p.m. The blaze has also spread to nearby homes.

Officials are asking people in Allentown to shelter in place as crews battle the fire. Any residents on the 300 block of Front Street are being asked to exit their homes through their backyards. 

PPL Electric Utilities shut off power in the area, and some 1600 customers were without power as of 1:45 a.m EDT.

So far, no injuries have been reported.

The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania said it’s responding to the fire.

It’s unclear how the blaze started.