Clearfield Twp. house declared total loss from fire
CLEARFIELD TWP — Nine fire departments responded Monday to a three-alarm house fire at 1205 Herman Road. Herman Volunteer Fire Company chief Rob Shuler said the house was a total loss, and one firefighter was injured.
Le Geibel, the only resident of the house, was returning home, and when he turned into his driveway, he initially thought someone was burning something nearby. He then saw the addition to his house on fire.
“I wasn’t home for — I’d say about three, four hours,” Geibel said. “I was gone, so I don’t know. I have no idea.” Geibel also said he has homeowner’s insurance.
The fire was reported at around 9:45 p.m.
Within minutes of arriving on the scene, firefighters requested a second alarm, and then quickly followed by asking for tankers from a third alarm.
Crews still were fighting the fire as of 11:30 p.m.
“We don’t have a clue yet,” Shuler said late Monday about a possible cause. “We’re still trying to get the fire extinguished.”
Nine crews, including Herman, East Butler, Saxonburg, Oneida Valley, Butler, Buffalo Township, Lick Hill, Unionville and Chicora, battled the blaze. They worked on putting it out from both the inside and outside.
One firefighter was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital after suffering minor smoke inhalation, Shuler said.
