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Family of four left homeless following Armstrong Township fire

By PHILIP A. HOLMES 2 min read

An Armstrong Township family of four was left homeless Friday night when their house on Route 15, just south of South Williamsport, sustained intense heat and smoke damage from a smoldering fire in their residence, according to DuBoistown Fire Chief Paul McKinley.

There were no injuries, but one of the family’s two dogs and their cat perished in the fire at 730 Route 15, he said. A second dog suffered severe smoke inhalation and was rushed to an emergency animal hospital near Watsontown, but the dog’s condition was unknown as of Saturday night, McKinley said.

No one was home at the time of the fire, which was so hot it melted the pipes (possibly plastic) under the sink and in the basement, releasing water which pretty much put the fire out, McKinley explained.

The fire was reported about 10:30 p.m. when the family, whose name was not released, returned home to find the house filled with smoke, the chief said.

“The melted water lines pretty much saved the place. Still, everything in the whole house was covered with black soot. The fire had to be burning for quite a while,” McKinley said.

Firefighters from Williamsport, South Williamsport, DuBoistown, Old Lycoming Township and Nisbet responded.

Once firefighters arrived, the fire was extinguished within minutes, the chief said.

The family, which has insurance, is staying with relatives.

Investigated by Cpl. Nathan Birth, a state police fire marshal, the fire is believed to be accidental.

McKinley said the stove caught fire, igniting items on top of the stove and spreading to the kitchen walls. It is believed one of the dogs likely stood up and turned on the stove, McKinley said.

While structure damage was estimated at $5,000, damage to the contents was $25,000 or higher, he said.

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