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Fire damages house in Jackson Township

JACKSON TWP — Flammable and combustible floor-cleaning materials accidentally ignited Sunday night, badly damaging a house and leaving a couple who lives there temporarily homeless, authorities said.

No one was injured in the blaze about 11:10 p.m. at the story-and-a-half house at 206 Gristmill Circle.

However, damage is estimated at $200,000, said Chief Neal Nanna of the Harmony Volunteer Fire Company.

Investigators believe the fire started on the front porch where the occupants, James Fidler and Leslie Kennedy, stored a number of floor-cleaning products as part of a renovation project.

“I believe it was spontaneous combustion with the chemicals,” Nanna said of what ignited the blaze.

The fire ignited the porch and shot up the wall and roof of the house.

Firefighters put out the blaze but not before it had damaged the front of the house, the roof and the attached garage. The home is insured.

Nanna said Fidler and Kennedy are staying with friends until their house is repaired.

Assisting the Harmony fire company were firefighters from Evans City, Callery, Adams Area and Cranberry Township.

Harmony fire crews were back at their station about 2 a.m. today.

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