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Residents are thankful for safety

Firefighters work to connect hoses in an attempt to slow down the fire that engulfed the attic and third floor of Concordia Lutheran Ministries' Haven I independent living apartments in Jefferson Township Sunday. The fire was first reported at about 11:35 a.m., with 16 fire companies and more than 100 firefighters responding. In two hours the fire, pushed by the wind, ate its way across the top of the 114-unit building. All 137 residents were accounted for and no one was injured. Most of them were at church when the blaze broke out. The state fire marshal said it is too early to tell how and why the fire started.

JEFFERSON TWP— The 137 residents of a building at Concordia Lutheran Homes lost their homes, but resident Bob Waltenbaugh said people had not lost their smiles.

He pointed out that many of the people who called Haven I their homes had lived through World War II and tougher battles than a fire.

"We're all in the same boat," said the 82-year-old Waltenbaugh.

He said it was a blessing that residents knew from past fire drills where to go when the alarms went off at 11:35 a.m. Sunday.

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