Fire started by fan motor leaves family homeless

Article Photos

LAIRDSVILLE - A family of three was left homeless Wednesday afternoon when an accidental fire broke out in their Mill Lane house, just off of Route 118, according to Lairdsville fire officials.

The homeowner, Tom Swank, was at work while his wife, Penny, and the couple's 6-year-old daughter, Annabelle, were out doing errands together when a passerby saw smoke pouring from the building about 12:20 p.m.

Donning self-contained breathing apparatus, volunteer firefighters entered the burning house at 32 Mill Lane, and had most of the fire under control in about 15 minutes.

"We used less than 1,000 gallons of water to put it out," Lairdsville Fire Chief Glen Temple said.

However, the property sustained heavy smoke and water damage, he said.

The fire was sparked by a fan motor that apparently shorted out, Temple said.

"The fan was on a low end table next to a chair," Temple said.

When Penny Swank and her daughter arrived at the scene, the mother fought back tears as friends tried to comfort her by putting their arms around her.

As firefighters began taking up their hoses, a staff member of the American Red Cross arrived on the scene and began offering emergency assistance to the displaced family.

While no final damage estimate has been determined, Temple said the amount "could very well" exceed $50,000.

The Swanks, who are staying at a motel, have fire insurance, according to a relative interviewed at the scene.

In addition to Lairdsville, volunteer firefighters from Hughesville, Muncy Creek Township and Unityville responded.