Fire Torches Haines Street Garages

Sirens echoed throughout Manayunk late Thursday afternoon as a fire struck stuck one of the dense neighborhood's narrowest streets.

Fire crews rushed to the 100 block of Haines St. after 4 p.m. Thursday as storage garage units had caught fire. Located across from new constructions on Haines Street and caddy-corner to , the one-story garages are joined together but separate from any houses.

At least three of the garages were severely damaged Thursday, but no one was injured, fire officials on the scene said. Additionally, the fire did not spread to attached structures on Sharp Street or to cars parked on the narrow street.

Kate Wittemann, who shared the photo of the garages inflamed, called 911 while passing by.

Owned by developer Nate Torok, the garages were recently involved in a proposed development. Torok approached the Wissahickon Neighbors Civic Association in June with on Haines and Sharp streets into four adjoining, three-bedroom homes, similar to the ones he built on Haines Street. The residents requested more information before voting on the project.

At that meeting, Torok, who only recently acquired the property, said only a few of the storage units were currently utilized.

No official cause is currently available.