Multiple pets lost in Winfield Township house fire
Multiple pets died in a residential home fire in Winfield Township where crews battled the cold and snow late Sunday night, Feb. 8.
Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief Matt Cypher said the side and rear of the ranch-style home were already fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived. The call was dispatched at 11:24 p.m. to the 500 block of Bicker Road.
“The weather was a major factor,” Cypher said Monday after crews were on scene for four-and-a-half hours the previous night.
Cypher said the family had pets such as dogs, cats and turtles all over the property, so he was not sure exactly how many pets perished. Authorities believe heat lamps the family had for the pets could have caused the fire as they were centered in most of the damage.
The home is a total loss, Cypher said. A second alarm was called within 15 minutes of the initial dispatch.
Responding companies included the Buffalo Township, Herman, Sarver and Saxonburg volunteer fire companies, Saxonburg EMS, South Buffalo Township and Worthington-West Franklin volunteer fire departments, Harrison Hills Volunteer Fire Company and Summit and Kittanning 6 hose companies.
