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Aug 15, 2008 9:29 am US/Eastern
Rendell Calls For Disaster After Conshohocken Fire
PHILADELPHIA (AP) ―
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iWitness Photograph of the massive fire that tore through a Conshohocken apartment complex. August 13, 2008
April Witcoskie
Gov. Ed Rendell is asking the U.S. Small Business Administration to declare Montgomery County a disaster area because of the huge fire that destroyed two upscale apartment buildings and damaged two others on Wednesday.
The disaster designation, if approved, would make low-interest loans available to eligible renters and business owners for losses.
The two heavily damaged buildings are being demolished, and borough officials say several hundred residents of the two other buildings must wait until that is finished before they can return home.
Those at a meeting last night were getting help with tasks such as replacing their driver's licenses and prescription medicines.
The American Red Cross is assisting victims and some are being housed in a nearby hotel.
Pets found by firefighters have been taken to an animal shelter.
Two firefighters who suffered minor injuries during the fire have been released from hospitals.
Officials say the fire apparently started at an adjacent building that was under construction. The cause remains under investigation.
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