Cranberry Twp. homeowner’s decision helps contain townhouse fire
A quick response by local firefighters and quick thinking by a Cranberry Township homeowner kept a Monday afternoon, July 1 townhouse fire from causing more significant damage.
The fire, reported at 2:25 p.m., at 705 Cranberry Pointe Lane, stayed contained to a second-floor bedroom after the homeowner closed the room’s door on the way out of the building, according to Scott Garing, Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company chief.
“The homeowner attempted to put it out, but when that didn’t work, closed the door (to the bedroom) and confined the fire,” Garing said.
This limited the fire’s fuel, oxygen, he said, and the fire didn’t leave the room. No flames were evident from the outside, and the fire could only be seen burning the room’s carpet, mattress, bed frame and other items in the confined space upon the fire department’s arrival.
The room was accessed via a window by using some by using ladders outside. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames and stayed on scene for about 45 minutes, Garing said.
“It makes all the difference in the world, when people can get there quickly,” Garing said of the departments’ quick response. “We can’t get back time. We have people ready to respond.”
He said the fire started when an alcohol-based chemical was accidentally spilled on a virtual reality headset.
In addition to Cranberry fire crews, Callery Volunteer Fire Company, Evans City Area Volunteer Fire Department, Harmony Fire District, Adams Area Fire District and others also responded to the scene.
Eagle assignment editor Tracy Leturgey contributed to this report.
