Apartment fire displaces 20 residents

A fire early Sunday morning gutted a three-story apartment building in Pennsburg Borough, forcing all 20 residents to evacuate, according to police and Red Cross officials.

The fire at the Penn View Apartments was brought under control less than an hour after it began at 5:50 a.m., and no injuries were reported. But the roof of the complex at 127-129 Fourth Street caved in, and residents were not allowed back in, said Officer James Lavin of the Upper Perk Police Department.

The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania assisted the 10 displaced families, providing food, clothing and lodging to those who needed it. A partner agency, Red Paw Emergency Relief, helped with pets.

The building is owned by Pennsburg lawyer Christopher Meinzer, according to Montgomery County property records. The cause of the fire is being investigated by state police fire marshal David Eggleston and Montgomery County detective Mike Gilbert.

- Marie McCullough