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Farm couple suffers 2 fires in 2 days

CLEARFIELD TWP — One day after Harry and Debbie Snyder watched two barns and a garage go up in flames on their farm, they suffered a second fire Tuesday night.

The couple narrowly escaped a fire Tuesday night that destroyed their home.

The two fires appear to be a tragic coincidence, according to Chief Rob McLafferty of the Herman Volunteer Fire Company.

“It’s certainly bad luck,” he said.

The couple suffered smoke inhalation after the fire broke out about 9:30 p.m. in the basement of their small wood-frame house on Shuler Road.

Harry Snyder was burned trying to put out the flames.

Additionally, two firefighters suffered minor injuries battling the blaze.

Cpl. Jeff Crede, state police fire marshal in Butler, is investigating the fire. He planned to return to the home today to sift through the rubble and to speak to the Snyders.

“It’s way too early to comment about (Tuesday’s) fire,” he said this morning.

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