Full Breakdown
Three-Alarm Fire Displaces Residents at Levittown Trace Apartments
9/17/2025, 9:06:45 PM
Overview of the Incident
A three-alarm fire erupted early Wednesday morning at the Levittown Trace Apartments located on Ford Road in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania. Firefighters received the first reports of the blaze around 5:30 a.m. and arrived to find flames venting from a second-floor bedroom window, which quickly spread to the third floor and into the attic. The fire ultimately rendered 12 apartments in the J Building uninhabitable, displacing approximately 30 residents.
Response and Casualties
Fire crews from multiple departments across Lower Bucks County, as well as neighboring New Jersey, responded to the emergency. During the incident, three individuals were hospitalized, including one resident who sustained an arm injury after jumping from a second-floor window. Two firefighters were also injured; one suffered from smoke inhalation while the other sustained an arm injury due to a partial roof collapse. Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito confirmed that all residents had been accounted for following an extensive search of the building.
Eyewitness Accounts
Residents described a chaotic scene as the fire spread. One resident recounted hearing sirens and people yelling in the hallways, stating, “It was pretty bad by the time we got out to the courtyard.” Another resident, Shay Hurst, who was in her apartment on the third floor, reported waking up to the smell of smoke and quickly evacuating with her children. “There was so much smoke, it was black, you couldn’t see anything,” she said.
Ongoing Investigation
While officials have identified the unit where the fire originated, the specific cause remains undetermined. Elinneth Rodriguez, a resident, speculated that the fire may have been electrical, as she noticed smoke while doing laundry. The investigation into the fire's cause is ongoing, with fire officials emphasizing the challenging conditions faced by firefighters during the response.
Community Support and Impact
The American Red Cross has been on-site to assist the displaced residents, providing recovery funds and support. The fire has also affected local transportation, with the Bristol Township School District notifying the community that some school bus routes may be impacted due to the incident.
Official Statements
Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito praised the response of local fire departments, stating, “The fire departments in this region of Bucks County are top notch.” He also noted that this was the first multi-alarm apartment fire in Bristol Township in years, highlighting the severity of the incident.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I heard a neighbor yelling there was a fire, so I grabbed my (two) kids and ran down the stairs,” — Shay Hurst, Resident
- “When the police saw me, they ran over and helped me down. They were very helpful,” — Henry Soma, Resident
- “We're going to make sure everyone here is taken care of. We will be here as long as necessary,” — Ed Robold, American Red Cross Volunteer
The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this devastating fire, as residents seek assistance and begin to assess their losses.
