PHOTO PROVIDED BY HEPBURN TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

Having working smoke alarms paid off for a family of six early Monday morning when they were alerted to a fire in the game room of their Hepburn Township home at 43 Airline Drive, according township Deputy Fire Chief Brent Michael.

Beside smoke alarms, the home was also equipped with a portable fire extinguisher that a family member grabbed and used to quickly douse the fire that was discovered about 2:10 a.m., Michael said.

The fire started in the chimney and came through a clean-out door and into a wall, he added. Most of the fire was extinguished when firefighters arrived on the scene. Exhaust fans were used to clear smoke from the home. Michael estimated damage at under $5,000.

Besides Hepburn Township, firefighters from Old Lycoming Township, Trout Run, Montoursville and Jersey Shore responded to the scene. The cause of the fire was ruled accidental.

Concerning another recent fire investigation, city Fire Chief Sam Aungst said a fire that erupted inside Taco Loco at 11 W. Fourth St., on Sept. 10 was accidental. The fire, which resulted in $50,000 damage to the business, was caused by spontaneous combustion of rags that had fatty acids on them, Aungst said. The restaurant remains closed due to the fire.

Regarding another city investigation, Aungst said a fire that broke out in the kitchen at Michael and April Stahl’s home at 2116 Linn St. on Sept. 15 was caused by a lithium ion battery charger that overheated on a counter. Fire damage, based on the county’s assessment of the home, was set at about $20,000, Aungst said.