Four volunteer fire departments, including, Adams Twp, Evans City, Harmony, and Cranberry respond to a chimney fire in Forward Township on Glenwood Ave on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. Forward Township Chief, Matt Otto, said the homeowner acted smartly and closed the dampers on the wood stove stopping the fire and preventing further damage to the structure. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

Cary Shaffer

FORWARD TWP — Four fire departments responded to a chimney fire at 120 Glenwood Ave. on Tuesday.

According to Evans City Volunteer Fire Department chief Matt Otto, the homeowner was alerted to the fire when he heard “popping” sounds coming from his wood stove.

“Luckily, the homeowner was there,” Otto said. “He was able to close all the vents.”

Adams Area Fire District, Cranberry Volunteer Fire Company, Evans City Volunteer Fire Department and Harmony Fire District were dispatched at 1:36 p.m.

“I was on the scene in five minutes,” Otto said.

According to Otto, the fire had been contained to the chimney. Crews mounted the roof and removed the chimney’s cap. Temperatures began to drop around 2:03 p.m.

While flames reached three to four feet in the chimney and smoke was present in the basement, no serious damage resulted, according to Otto.

This, Otto said, was owed to the homeowner’s quick thinking.

“He was the savior of his house today,” Otto said. “For sure.”

Four volunteer fire departments, including, Adams Twp, Evans City, Harmony, and Cranberry respond to a chimney fire in Forward Township on Glenwood Ave on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. Forward Township Chief, Matt Otto, said the homeowner acted smartly and closed the dampers on the wood stove stopping the fire and preventing further damage to the structure. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

Cary Shaffer