One person was killed in a large fire that impacted multiple homes Friday morning in Lansdale, Montgomery County, according to the Lansdale Borough Police Department. At approximately 6:16 a.m., officers and firefighters responded to the 800 block of Andover Road for a report of a house fire invo lving multiple homes. When they arrived, officers encountered heavy fire conditions affecting two attached homes, with reports of residents trapped inside. The fire was brought under control at approximately 7:44 a.m., police said. At that time, one person was confirmed dead inside one of the affected homes. There were no other reported injuries. Family members identified the victim as 65-year-old John Garchinsky. Neighbors described him as a decorated war veteran. A picture of John Garchinsky “He was a great guy,” Garchinsky’s nephew, Chris Garchinsky, told NBC10. “Always loved to laugh.” There’s a statue of a soldier in front of his house, one of the few things unharmed in the fire. “He’d sit out here and wait for the kids to get off the bus. And they’d be like John, John,” Harry Werner, one of the victim’s neighbors, said. Surveillance video shows the fire starting in the back of the homes. In that video, a banging noise can be heard while seeing the start of smoke in the upper left-hand corner. According to police, residents from at least four homes were displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross. Ulysses Flores spoke with NBC10 and pointed out his home to our crew. His family made it out safely. “My dog was barking and then all of a sudden an explosion happened,” Flores said. SkyForce10 flew over the scene, where heavy smoke could be seen billowing from at least one home. Several firefighters were seen using hoses as they worked to bring the blaze under control. “The only thing is like get out as soon as possible and don’t worry about anything else,” Flores said. Police said Fairmount Fire Company is being assisted at the scene by multiple fire companies, VMSC Emergency Medical Services, Lansdale Electric, and PECO. As of 9:08 a.m., emergency responders remained on scene. Drivers were asked to avoid the area due to ongoing road closures. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available. ...read more read less