Marion Twp. home deemed total loss after fire
MARION TWP — A family home in Marion Township was deemed a total loss by firefighters from Butler, Mercer and Venango counties on Monday evening, May 13.
Nathaniel Burns, 37, who grew up at the house on West Sunbury Road, was home when he saw smoke in the residence. Burns said he alerted his father, who went upstairs, and upon opening a door, emerged with singed hair. The pair evacuated the house with their four dogs, who were unharmed.
No injuries were reported.
“I’m stunned,” Burns said, adding that he doesn’t know if the home will be torn down and need to be rebuilt.
“We’re trying to see what is salvageable,” he said.
According to Burns’ nephew, Damian Wetzel, 21, of West Sunbury, both Burns and his father — Wetzel’s grandfather — will have a place to stay with family.
“We’ve had (the home) since my mom was less than a year old,” Wetzel said.
Marion Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief Rob Hairhoger said fire departments arrived on scene shortly after 5:20 p.m. The Red Cross also was called.
Hairhoger said the fire was accidental and started in a second-floor bedroom. The cause is not yet known.
Traffic on West Sunbury Road leading to the residence was rerouted for about an hour until about 7 p.m.
According to Hairhoger, fire departments from West Sunbury, North Washington, Eau Claire, Harrisville, Parker City, Pine Township, Springfield Township, Petrolia, Bruin, Unionville, Emlenton and Grove City responded to the scene alongside Marion Township fire company.
Superior Ambulance Service also was called.
