No one was injured in the fire, which started about 6:15 p.m. while neighbors were having an outdoor block party in the 2400 block of Perot Street, a road so narrow that fire trucks could not fit down it. Firefighters had to feed the hoses down the block from the streets bordering both ends.
Four rowhouses in the 2400 block of Perot were affected, as were three houses behind them on Meredith Street, Battalion Chief George Griffin said. At least two of the houses sustained heavy damage, he said, including 2433 Perot St., where the fire is believed to have started.
Griffin said the cause was unknown. A propane tank appeared to have exploded, but it was unclear what caused that explosion.
Neighbors said they were enjoying their sidewalk picnic when they saw thick black smoke coming from the roof. One neighbor speculated that an errant firework may have sparked the blaze.
Firefighters arrived quickly after the call, including members of Engine 13, Ladder One, which the city has targeted for closing.
Dozens of neighbors and onlookers who gathered on the block to watch gave the firefighters several rounds of applause as they gathered their gear to leave. About 50 firefighters converged on the street after the call came in.
Denise Horan, a resident of Perot Street, said the crowd realized that the station was scheduled to close and wanted to show their support.
"They did a great job," she said. "They were in here within seconds."
Griffin said such a display of appreciation is a rarity.
