Clinton homeowner suffers from smoke inhalation
CLINTON TWP — A man was taken to the hospital Saturday night after he went back inside his home after a fire.
Robert Wargo, who is in his early 60s, built much of his home at 115 Hidden Hill Road and was concerned about the fire damage.
“He was upset,” said Chris Ballina, chief of the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company.
Ballina said Wargo went back into the home after the fire had been put out and then suffered from smoke inhalation. Wargo was taken to Allegheny Valley Hospital, according to Ballina. He was treated and released, a hospital spokesman said today.
The fire started when Wargo was entertaining guests, according to his friend Sandy Hall, 53. They had a fire in the fireplace when the flames became out of control seemingly out of nowhere, Hall said.
“We were all just sitting at the table ... next thing you know, I smelled smoke,” Hall said of the house Saturday night.
Hall said she kept trying to put out the fire with buckets of water. She can understand Wargo's concern for the house, which is only about five years old.
Three other people in the home with Wargo and Hall escaped without injury, as did Hall.
Ballina estimated the damage to the home was more than $50,000. He did not know if the house was insured.
The Saxonburg fire company was assisted by the Sarver Volunteer Fire Company, the West Deer Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 and the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company.
