Numerous firefighters rushed to the 1500 block of West Southern Avenue in South Williamsport about 7:25 p.m. Saturday when a pile of wood skids were suddenly engulfed in flames just 15 to 20 feet from a home. A neighbor saw the fire and called 911. Heavy smoke was visible to motorists on the Maynard Street

“The flames went 20 feet up a tree,” the neighbor said. The property owner had gone inside his house, believing that a fire in a burn pit was out, fire officials said. Sparks from the pit ignited the pile of pallets, officials said. The fire was knocked down in 10 minutes.