Teens return from school to find fire in basement
DONEGAL TWP — No one was harmed in a Friday afternoon house fire on the 100 block of Kamerer Road.
Bethany Schoentag said her two teenage children got off the school bus and heard fire alarms.
The fire occurred around 3 p.m.
“They opened the door and saw lots of smoke,” Schoentag said.
She owns the home, which houses her family of four.
The teens called 911 and got their dog out of the house. No one else was in the home.
When firefighters arrived, they found a small fire in the basement that was pouring out a heavy amount of smoke.
Rick Craig, assistant chief for the Chicora Volunteer Fire Department, said they were able to extinguish the fire in a matter of minutes using a pressurized water tool. Crews brought out hoses, but didn't have to use them.
From there, Craig said, they pulled some smoking debris out of the building and made sure everything was out.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Chicora firefighters were the first at the scene.
Also responding were the Bruin Volunteer Fire Department, Petrolia Volunteer Fire Department, Armstrong County's Sugarcreek Township Volunteer Fire Department, East Butler Volunteer Fire Department, Lick Hill Volunteer Fire Department and Pennsylvania State Police.
The home is insured, Schoentag said. It mainly suffered smoke damage.
“Everybody is fine,” Schoentag said.
