Fire crews in Indiana County were busy this morning as they tended to two fires.
The first fire was reported just after midnight on Shady Drive in White Township. Indiana Fire Companies 2 and 3 were first called to the scene, with Homer City, Cherryhill Township and Clymer fire departments assisting on the scene. Indiana Fire Chief Paul Koons said that the home was fully engulfed by the time they got there, and power lines were already down and there were several small explosions. As far as if anyone was in the home at the time, that was not able to be confirmed. As far as they know, the house was unoccupied at the time, but there were conflicting reports given by neighbors in the area.
(Remnants of house fire on Shady Drive.
Photo by Josh Widdowson)
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but Koons said that State Police Fire Marshals will investigate the scene.
The other fire called Cherryhill Township firefighters along with crews from Commodore, Clymer, Nicktown, Pine Township, Cherry Tree and Marion Center fire departments to a structure fire at 935 Starford Road at 1:40 this morning. In fact, Cherryhill Township Fire Chief Jody Rainey said that crews were called away from the White Township fire to head over to the Starford Road fire.
The building was a two-story residential structure, with Commodore fire department reporting that fire was coming out the front door and windows. It’s not known who lived there, but Rainey said everyone was able to get out safely, and it was a quick knockdown by the assisting fire crews.
Rainey believes at this time the cause of the fire is accidental due to a candle burning in the living room, but they will investigate further later today.
