Six Vandergrift residents were left homeless when their three respective homes caught fire Thursday morning. The American Red Cross is assisting four men and two women with temporary shelter as state police in Greensburg are investigate the cause of the blaze. Vandergrift Fire Department No. 2 Chief Steve Potoka said the fire started shortly after 6 a.m. in the rear of a two-story house at 906 Holland Ave. Flames spread to a one-­story home at 908 Holland Ave. and a two-story house at 824 Holland Ave. All of the buildings are believed to be total losses. Potoka said no injuries were reported and all pets made it out safely. He did not want to speculate about what caused the two-alarm blaze. The fire remains under investigation. Any further updates will come from police, Potoka said. No issues getting water were reported. Crews had things under control in about two hours and began clearing the scene about 10 a.m. "The guys did a great job,” Potoka said. "In the morning it’s not as hot out, but it’s tough with the fire gear on. You’re trying to stop three houses at the same time and trying to control it. It takes a lot out. "This was definitely a huge challenge for us. This time of the day, a lot of people are going to work. The firemen are going to work. It is tough to get crews out to handle something this big.” Emergency crews from a slew of fire departments responded, including both Vandergrift stations. Among the other volunteers who responded were from Allegheny Township, Leechburg, Parks Township, Markle, Washington Township, Apollo, Kiski Township, Arnold, New Kensington, Lower Burrell and Murrysville. Murrysville responders set up a rehab station for firefighters. Vandergrift Fire Department No. 1 Chief Randy Dunmire said they maintained an exterior attack at 904 Holland Ave. due to its roof collapsing. Firefighters were able to get inside the other two homes. Stephen Poydence, 63, of Allegheny Township was staying with a friend a few doors from where the fire broke out. He immediately began filming the blaze with his cellphone. "I saw flames shooting 40 feet above one of the homes,” Poydence said. "I was about 50 feet from the fire and was told by a neighbor that everyone got out safely.” Poydence said he saw fire crews set up their hoses. He watched as the fire spread to a third home. "That was the first time I’ve been that close to a fire,” Poydence said, "and it’s amazing how fast a wooden structure can go up in flames.” Residents of one of the homes that caught fire told Tribune-Review news partner WPXI that they are grateful to be alive. Robert Mills said he was asleep in bed when he heard a loud explosion. He then saw his back porch was on fire. He woke his wife, and they darted out of the home, which they had lived in for 51 years. "I thank God that we made it out alive,” Mills told the television station. "How quickly things can change in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. You don’t know.”