No one was hurt, as the woman who owns the house got out on her own and called in the alarm, according to city Fire Chief Adam Free.

Firefighters arrived within about three minutes after the 11 p.m. dispatch, which was based on a report of a kitchen fire, Free said.

The wood-frame, vinyl-sided house will likely need to be gutted, but should be repairable, he said.

When firefighters arrived, they found the back of the house fully involved, Free said.

Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Cpl. Scott M. Swasing (left) and Altoona City Fire Chief Adam Free investigate a late Thursday evening fire at a townhouse at 202 Hopewell Drive in Altoona. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

They went inside the house to attack the blaze, he said, and it took about 45 minutes to get it under control.

A state police fire marshal is investigating.

The fire does not appear to be suspicious, Free said.

The owner was able to stay with family overnight Thursday, Free said. The Red Cross was expected to get in contact with her to determine whether she needed help.

The house on the 200 block of Hopewell Drive is insured, he said.

The houses on either side were damaged also, Free said, but no one was present in either of those.

All 11 city firefighters on duty at the time were dispatched, and the department called in an additional 10, Free said.

Firefighters were there for about three hours.

The Salvation Army set up a warming tent, Free said.

“We were very appreciative of that,” he said.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.