Brush fire spreads to Woodlands trailer
CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Although an estimated 20 to 30 acres were on fire when firefighters arrived at the Woodlands area Tuesday, April 11, afternoon, they were able to quell the brush fire before it severely burned a trailer and endangered another home.
Mike Nanna, second chief of Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company, said no one was inside the trailer near Pheasant Road when it was burned by a fire that started in brush near the residence.
Crews were called just before 3 p.m., and the situation was under control by 6 p.m.
Responding departments relied on tanker trucks and a nearby “dry hydrant” for water, and the operation went smoothly, Nanna said.
“As big as it was, we never ran out of water,” he said. “It started to catch on another house, but with our training we didn’t have much trouble putting it out.”
Firetrucks lined the tight dirt roads of the development surrounded by woods. Hoses led the way on the winding road to the source of the fire at the bottom of the hill near Grouse Road.
The trailer sustained damage in the fire, but Connoquenessing VFC chief Lou Zimmerman said he didn’t have a damage estimate Tuesday afternoon.
Butler Township Volunteer Fire District and fire departments from Prospect, Evans City, Harmony and Unionville also responded to the scene.
The National Weather Service of Pittsburgh issued a special weather advisory Tuesday, April 11, which has been extended to Wednesday evening concerning fire conditions for Butler and surrounding counties.
Meteorologists said brush fires are more likely to start due to humidity values ranging from 15% to 25% and wind gusts ranging from 15 to 25 miles per hour.
Residents were being asked to use caution when handling machinery or matches and smoking cigarettes, according to reports.
