Vehicle damaged during Saturday garage fire in Center Township
CENTER TWP — A Corvette Stingray was destroyed after it caught fire Saturday, April 20, at a home on McCandless Road.
Crews were dispatched around 4:10 p.m. for reports of a car on fire in a garage, which was mere feet from the residence in the 5000 block on the remote road.
According to Nathan Wulff, assistant chief of Unionville Volunteer Fire Company, the fire started while man was working on the antique vehicle.
“Some gas got on a light while he was working,” he said. “He was here the whole time with a garden hose to keep it from going crazy.”
Another Corvette was parked just outside of the garage when the blaze began, but Wulff said the homeowners were able to move it away from the fire.
Wulff said the Corvette in the garage was lost to the flames.
“It’s pretty well gone,” he said.
The fire extended to the garage’s attic. Smoke was seen billowing from the roof, and once the fire was extinguished, the roof appeared to sag on the left side.
Hoses were crisscrossed on the driveway leading to the home, and Wulff said crews had to stretch one of them 800 feet up McCandless Road to get to the nearest hydrant.
“We carry 1,500 feet of hose,” Wulff said.
The fire was under control in 15 minutes, but crews stayed on scene to ventilate the garage and check for hot spots.
Neighbor Pete Saul said he realized there was a fire when he saw a firetruck fly past. Having lived in the area for years, he said he was familiar with the home and came to the property to make sure people were OK.
“I’m glad everyone is fine,” he said. “It’s just property in the garage. No one’s hurt and the fire’s well taken care of.”
McCandless Road was closed while firefighters doused the flames, reopening when they left the scene around 5:50 p.m.
Butler Ambulance Service, Prospect Borough- Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department, West Sunbury Volunteer Fire Company and Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue Team all responded to the scene.
