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NIPPENOSE VALLEY -- Returning from New York state, Mark and Doris Anderman will have to start all over in finding a new home after their house at 492 Morgan Valley Road in Bastress Township went up in flames late Monday morning in a multiple-alarm blaze.
No one was in the house when flames were reported coming from the structure about 11:15 a.m., according to Nippenose Valley Assistant Chief Jeff Stabley said. Smoke from the fire could be seen from as far as Rauchtown. The home was about a quarter mile off of Route 654.
"There was heavy fire coming out of three sides of the structure, and part of the roof was already gone when firefighters arrived," Stabley said.
Firemen shuttled to the scene several tankers of water that was drafted from a pond along Morgan Valley Road, less than two miles from the scene. The road was closed for a couple of hours so that traffic would not interfere with the shuttling of water.
There were no reports of injuries. Besides Nippenose Valley, firefighters from nearly a dozen fire companies battled the intense fire for nearly an hour before bringing it under control. Temperatures at the time ranged from the mid to low 20s.
Through a third person, firefighters were able to reach the Andermans, who reportedly arrived on the scene later in the day. Stabley said the couple will be staying with relatives.
A state police fire marshal responded, but the cause of the fire will remain undetermined. Stabley said the property was a total loss.