×

Fire in double home displaces two Newberry families

FIrefighters battle a blaze at 2224 Newberry Street in Williamsport on Wednesday morning. KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

A two-alarm fire broke out at 2224 Newberry St. about 8:10 a.m. Wednesday, causing extensive damage to the property.

City police said no one was in the house or in the other half of the duplex, 2226 Newberry St., at the time, police said. The fire was in the home occupied by Kara Schelb and her teenage daughter, city fire officials said.

There were no reports of injuries.

Speaking with a reporter at the back of his home, Bill Weikle, who lives in the 2226 side with his girlfriend and her children, said he was getting ready to head home from work when he learned of the fire. He said he could see the smoke from Reach Road. He was concerned about the whereabouts of his 12-year-old cat, Koas, that was in the smoke-filled house.

“My cat’s up there,” he yelled at a firefighter, who was working in the house, trying to keep the fire from spreading.

Responding from police headquarters, one officer said he could see the smoke from Bowman Field.

The duplex is owned by Schelb’s mother, Barbara Moser, of South Williamsport, who was at the scene. Two dogs, two cats and a boa constrictor also lived in the house with Schelb, officials said. One of the dogs perished in the fire, investigators confirmed.

The fire was declared under control at 8:40 a.m.

Electrical service for the entire block was shut off for a short period of time because of the fire.

Although the fire was contained to the 2224 side, Weikle’s half of the double sustained some smoke, heat and structural damage as well, investigators said. All the tenants, now staying with relatives, will be displaced for an undetermined amount of time. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, city Fire Chief Sam Aungst said hours after firefighters left the scene.

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today