First responders attempt to resuscitate a dog at a Center Township residence on South Benbrook Road following reports of a house fire Saturday afternoon, Jan. 6, in which three other dogs perished. Irina Bucur/Butler Eagle

CENTER TWP — Three dogs died in Center Township after a house fire was reported on the 100 block of South Benbrook Road shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6.

After the fire had been extinguished, crews could be seen attempting to resuscitate a fourth dog in the snow-covered front yard as they waited for a veterinarian to arrive on scene.

No other injuries were reported.

The fire, which Chief Mike Pflugh of Unionville Volunteer Fire Company said began in the basement, was extinguished about within 10 minutes of arrival. The fire damaged parts of the basement as well as the first floor. Pflugh said he believed the cause was electrical in nature.

Due to the lack of fire hydrants in the area, fire departments shuttled water to the scene using tankers.

First responders from Unionville, Prospect, Butler Township, Oneida Valley, West Sunbury, East Butler, Center Township, Butler City and Slippery Rock, in addition to VA Butler Fire and Emergency Services, responded to the call.

According to police scanner activity, Unionville Volunteer Fire Company returned to the scene around 4:30 p.m. after reports of smoke near a window and that the fire had rekindled.

Due to a lack of fire hydrants in the area, fire departments shuttled water to extinguish a house fire in Center Township Saturday afternoon. The fire began in the basement and firefighters belive it was electrical in nature, said fire chief Mike Pflugh of Unionville Volunteer Fire Department. Irina Bucur/Butler Eagle