None injured after uninhabited home catches fire
This story was updated at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 6, 2024, to reflect the home on Fenster Lane was owned by the late Dave Fenstermaker. Fenstermaker, who died in August 2023, is survived by his brother, Dan, who was misidentified as the owner.
PROSPECT — No one was injured after an uninhabited home on Fenster Lane caught fire on Sunday, May 5.
“I’d like to thank the mutual aid departments,” said Capt. Andrew Niederlander of the Prospect Boro/Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department, who led the response. “Without the quick response it could have been a lot worse.”
According to both Niederlander and an eyewitness, the house had been uninhabited for months following the death of its previous owner, Dave Fenstermaker. However, the owner’s family had been inside the home recently to clean it out.
On Sunday afternoon, a family member of Fenstermaker’s had been inside the home to repair a flood in the basement when the fire broke out.
“There was a male working in the basement. He quickly left and called 911,” Niederlander said. “The basement was flooded, so he was trying to get the water out.”
Niederlander said it is unclear what caused the fire, but the Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal will investigate the incident. It is also unclear whether or not the home would potentially be livable in the future.
In addition to the Prospect Boro/Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department, fire departments from Slippery Rock, Portersville, Unionville, and Connoquenessing responded to the scene, along with the Butler Ambulance Service.
