Butler house destroyed in fire
A Tuesday morning fire destroyed a single-story house in Butler and left its tenant worrying about the fate of his cat.
No one was home at the time, and no one was injured.
Moments after the fire was reported at 7:24 a.m. at 536 Bredin St., the on-duty crew of city firefighters could see the smoke when they pulled out of the fire station on North Washington Street, said Butler city Fire Chief Chris Switala.
He said a neighbor who reported the fire told county 911 dispatchers that flames were coming out of a window.
“It was already well-involved when we got the call,” Switala said.
The fire started in the living room and damaged about half of the first floor, he said. The rest of the home had smoke and heat damage, he said.
Still, firefighters from the city and surrounding area managed to get the fire under control in about 30 minutes, he said.
The tenant, Michael West, said he was at a doctor’s appointment when the fire started. He said he lost everything he owned in the fire and is hoping his cat named Taz escaped and is hiding somewhere.
“I lost everything. Everything is gone. I don’t know what to do,” West said.
He said he lived there about five years and does not have insurance.
Firefighters had the fire under control when he arrived, but the interior of the house was destroyed, he said.
“I’m sick to the stomach,” said West, who is being assisted by the American Red Cross.
The fire also cut power to a home next door and damaged the siding, Switala said.
Aggie Bennetti, who owns the home with her husband, John, said they are glad no one was hurt and grateful to firefighters and the neighbor who called 911.
“We’re just grateful everybody is safe, and we’re thankful for the help that came. We’re thankful our neighbor called,” she said.
Bennetti said she also glad is that the neighbor’s house had only minor damage.
She said the home is insured and, based on early discussions with an insurance company representative, the house might have to be demolished.
The VA Butler Fire and Emergency Services, Butler Township Volunteer Fire District, Butler City police and Butler Ambulance Service also responded to the fire. All units cleared the scene by 9:30 a.m.
