Fire damages rental home in city
The state police fire marshal is investigating a Sunday morning blaze that damaged a rental home in the 100 block of West Brady Street.
Three children and a grandchild visiting the tenant managed to escape uninjured when they discovered the fire about 10 a.m., authorities said.
Capt. Kevin McAfee of the Butler Fire Department said it appeared the fire started in the kitchen “in or around the stove” and it was not believed to be suspicious.
Victor Fagan, who lives alone at the two-story house across from Friedman's supermarket, had been cooking at the stove earlier that morning. His three daughters and a grandchild, all visiting from out of town, were apparently sleeping.
“One of the daughters awakened and got everyone out,” McAfee said.
There was a smoke detector in the house but it was not working. Fire officials did not know whether it had a battery that had worn out or was removed.
McAfee estimated damage at $45,000 to the structure and another $25,000 to the contents.
The Butler chapter of the American Red Cross was notified to help Fagan, who did not have renter's insurance, with any emergency needs.
