Rochester firefighters were called to 219 Elmdorf Avenue for an early Thursday morning house fire.
They arrived to find two houses on fire, both 2½ story, single family residences. The fire was at risk of spreading to a third, nearby home. More units were called in, and firefighters forced open the front door of one home and assisted an elderly woman to escape from the fire.
Neighbors from across the street had previously woken up the other residents, who had gotten out safely by the time firefighters arrived.
A second alarm was called, and fire officials pulled crews out of the houses because of the amount of fire involved.
The house at 219 Elmdorf was destroyed, with the roof falling in. The second house was saved from heavy damage, and fire was kept from spreading to the third house.
Three adults were displaced from their home by the fire and are being assisted by the Red Cross.