Woman safely escapes overnight fire

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The blaring sound of a smoke alarm saved the life of a Linn Street woman who was awakened in time to safely escape her burning home overnight, city fire officials said.

Maureen Roupp fled the inferno through the back door at 2331 Linn St. with only the clothes on her back about 2 a.m., city fire Platoon Chief Eric Smith said.

The double home at 2331-2333 was engulfed in flames when firefighters reached the scene.

Roupp's husband Mark was at work at First Quality Products in Clinton County when the fire broke out.

Smith said the other half of the duplex was vacant.

He ordered a second alarm at 2:07 a.m., summoning 10 off-duty city firefighters and additional manpower and equipment from Old Lycoming Township, DuBoistown, South Williamsport, Montoursville and Montgomery.

Smith said the bulk of the fire was knocked down in about an hour. One city firefighter suffered a minor facial injury, but declined treatment.

The Roupps, who own the duplex, have insurance and are staying with relatives. Damage to their property was set at $100,000 damage.

Radiant heat from the fire damaged to two neighboring properties.

Exterior damage to the siding of another duplex at 2327-2329 Linn St., a property owned by William "Pete" Logan, a retired city fire chief, sustained about $50,000 damage. Logan lives in the 2327 side. Neither he nor the family who rents the other half were displaced.

The fire also caused about $20,000 exterior damage to 2335 Linn St., a home rented by Linnea Mabb. While she was forced to evacuate the property, she was allowed to return after the fire was extinguished.

The cause of the fire remained under investgation.

Watch for a full report in Saturday's Sun-Gazette.