Fire destroys Muddy Creek Twp. mobile home
MUDDY CREEK TWP — A mobile home in Lake Arthur Estates was a total loss after a fire of unknown cause burned down the majority of the structure Friday, Jan. 23.
Portersville-Muddy Creek Township, Prospect volunteer fire departments, Harmony Fire District, Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue Team and Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company responded to the 100 block of Sechan Drive after the structure fire quickly engulfed the home.
“We talked to the homeowner, he said he didn’t have anything he thought would start it, no issues with electrical or anything,” said Tyler Hinkle, a lieutenant with Portersville-Muddy Creek Township Volunteer Fire Department. “Him and his baby were thankfully not home at the time. Obviously the wind really helped it spread.”
The fire started in the front left corner of the mobile home and spread back through the rest of the home quickly. It burned out the middle and everything collapsed inward,” Hinkle said.
Smoke could be clearly seen from Route 422 outside of the neighborhood filling the sky. Firefighters had to wear full masks to battle the flames while ash mixed in with flurries floating in the air. Debris was scattered around the yard while the majority of the structure’s frame was gone.
“When we got here, it was already fully involved. The entire house, every side was engulfed,” Hinkle said. “Some of these places are pretty tight together, so we checked the neighbor’s house too to be on the safe side. We had to respond quick.”
Firefighters said they were initially concerned about the exposure of the fire and potential to spread elsewhere in the mobile home area, due to the material of the home. On the right side of the home, the siding on the neighbor’s home was melted.
“I had to come home from work immediately to make sure the fire didn’t spread down the street,” an unnamed Sechan Drive resident said.
The homeowner was not home at the time of the fire.
