Flames destroy house Tuesday
Fire marshal investigating
By Jim Smith
Eagle Staff Writer
The state police fire marshal is investigating a Tuesday evening blaze that destroyed a single-story house in northwestern Armstrong County near the Butler County line.
There was no one home at the time, according to fire officials, but at least three cats died in the fire in Hovey Township.
Trooper DuWayne Baird, a fire marshal, said Wednesday the cause was not immediately known.
A passing motorist about 7 p.m. saw smoke coming from the house on Route 268 and notified 911. The half cement block/half wood frame home sits along the Allegheny River, just two miles from the Emlenton fire station.
It took just minutes for firefighters to get there but the fire had already taken hold.
“When we arrived on scene, fire was coming through the roof,” said Barry Louise, assistant chief with the Emlenton Volunteer Fire Department, “and there was fire coming from the side of the house facing (Route) 268.”
That area of the house is where the kitchen was located, said Baird, who sifted through the damage and conducted interviews Wednesday as part of his investigation.
Assisting the Emlenton VFD were firefighters from Bruin and Eau Claire in Butler County, Clintonville and Seneca in Venango County, and Parker, St. Petersburg, Knox and Perry Township in Clarion County.
Firefighters initially fought the blaze with compressed-air foam from the outside, Louise said, knocking it down enough to send in an attack crew about 15 minutes later.
A short time later, he said, the fire was contained but the home was considered a total loss. Baird estimated damage at $100,000. He said it was unclear if the house was insured.
Firefighters said they found the remains of three cats in the house. A fourth cat was still missing the following day.
The Dunkle family owns the home as well as another house next about 100 yards away. Baird said no one apparently lived full time at the home that burned.
Daniel Dunkle told investigators he acted as caretaker of the home, Baird said, while living at the neighboring house.
The Butler Eagle could not reach Dunkle for comment.
