Man critically injured in fire
PINE TWP, Mercer County — A man was badly burned when his mobile home caught fire early Saturday morning.
Neighbors identified the man as John Kunick, who lived in lot 20 of the Glen Lake Estates mobile home park at 1037 Barkeyville Road.
Gloria Grossman, who lives next door to Kunick, said she called 911 about 7:20 a.m. after Kunick frantically knocked on her door.
“I was asleep on the couch when I heard knocking,” she said.
“I opened the door and didn't even recognize him.”
Scott Grossman, Gloria's son, said Kunick was barely able to speak when he got to their home.
“He was in shock,” he said. “His clothes were burned off. His hands, arms and legs were all badly burned.”
Pine Township Fire Department Chief Christopher Holmes said Kunick was critically injured with burns on about 80 percent of his body. He said he was taken to the Grove City Medical Center before being moved to West Penn Hospital's burn center in Pittsburgh.
Scott Grossman said an ambulance was at the fire within 10 minutes to help Kunick.
“He's a good neighbor — a real nice guy,” Grossman said. “He would always help us out.”
Seven fire departments, including crews from Harrisville and Marion Township, were called to assist the Pine Township Engine Company, who was in command of the scene.
Assistant Fire Chief Levi Hipps said the home was a total loss. He was among the first emergency responders to arrive at the scene.
“It was a working fire in the center part of the trailer,” he said.
Hipps said there was a wood burner in the living room of the home, but he did not know if that was the origin of the fire.
“We're not sure about that yet,” he said.
Trooper DuWayne Baird, a deputy fire marshal at the Butler barracks, said a cause of the fire was not immediately known and remains under investigation. Damage to the trailer and its contents is estimated at $50,000.
Jim Morrison of Grove City, who helps with maintenance at the park, said Kunick lived alone in the home for about five years.
“He collected riding lawn mowers,” he said. “He's a good guy. He never bothered anyone.”
Eagle staff writer Jim Smith contributed to this report.
