Chimney fire fought in Lancaster Township
LANCASTER TWP — Nine fire departments responded to a chimney fire in the 100 block of Stone Church Road on Saturday, Nov. 25, after a resident noticed smoke upstairs.
“The wife was at home and she was up on the second floor,” said Chief Scott Garing, Harmony Fire District. “She could see and smell smoke upstairs. It was really hot.”
Crews were dispatched at 12:15 p.m., according to Garing, with the chimney fire extending into a half-story attic.
“We put a hand-line in service and then we extinguished the fire from what we could tell,” he said. “Then we did some overhaul, opening up the roof line and everything and checking for extension.”
“Damage is pretty limited to the area around the chimney on the half-story and the second floor,” Garing said. “We’re just checking for extension around the chimney itself on the second floor.”
The fire built up in the chimney from the couple’s wood-burning fireplace, according to Garing, and their quick-thinking and the work of the nine crews left the home in habitable condition.
“They have an alternate source of heat they can use,” he said. “It’s still livable, and luckily they were home. If not, the place would’ve definitely been in worse condition.”
Also responding were Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company, Cranberry Township Fire Police, Adams Area Fire District, Callery Borough Volunteer Fire Department, Evans City Volunteer Fire Department, Portersville-Muddy Creek Township Volunteer Fire Department, Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company, Prospect Volunteer Fire Department, Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company and Harmony EMS.
