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9-12 on scene |
EXPRESS ARTICLE
Quick firefighter response
saves area home
By JIM RUNKLE
BEECH CREEK — A
quick response by firefighters made equally quick work of flames
late Tuesday evening at a home along the Orviston-Monument Road.
Fire broke out about 10:22 p.m. in the two-story, wood-frame
home of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Hanley Jr. and their two children,
74 Monument-Orviston Road, according to Beech Creek/Blanchard
Fire Chief Keith Bittner
Mr. Hanley spotted smoke and made sure his family was safely out
of the house, then called for assistance, Bittner said.
“When we first arrived on scene there was heavy smoke showing at
the rear of the house in an addition that contained the kitchen
area,” Bittner said.
Approximately 24 firefighters from Beech Creek joined volunteers
from Dunnstown and Mill Hall fire companies and Howard Rescue in
springing into action.
“We made an excellent hit on it,” Bittner said. “I really have
to credit the volunteers. They did a great job and it was a
great knockdown.”
Bittner said after establishing a connection to a nearby
hydrant, the firefighters entered the smoking home and
discovered the origin of the blaze in the ceiling area, near a
light fixture.
“The fire burned into the attic portion above the kitchen,”
Bittner said. “We took care of that and checked the rest of the
house to make sure there were no extensions.”
He said there were no major problems in battling the blaze,
although temperatures hovered near zero.
“It was slippery, but it wasn’t as bad as we expected,” he said.
“We managed to make some ice.”
The fire was under control within 30 minutes of the fire
company’s arrival.
“We gained access, laid hose to the scene and everything went
like clockwork,” Bittner said. “We contained the fire to the
addition, and opened the roof to vent the interior. We pulled
away the burned material and extinguished what was left.”
Bittner estimated the damage at $7,000 to $8,000 and said the
family will be able to move back into the house after a bit of
electrical repair.
“Some wiring issues will have to be sorted out, but they won’t
be out for very long,” he said.
There were two houses in close proximity to the burning home,
Bittner said, but they were never in danger.
Section: News Posted: 2/7/2007
THANK YOU to all the volunteer
firefighters who came out Feb 6 to my house for a fire call.
I am very appreciative for how well you stopped what could have
been a disaster. The only thing my family lost was our
kitchen and we are able to get that fixed with a little bit of
time. The main thing that I'm thinking about after that
night is I was given a chance to keep on enjoying my life with
my family, I give my thanks to friends and family who have been
generous with offerings. And I would also like to give the
Jerry Bittner family my deepest sympathy. I found out that
Jerry was the man standing in my yard who I didn't recognize the
night of the fire. He went to my neighbor's house who
kindly left him make a nice pot of coffee in their home for the
firefighters.
- Tina M. Hanley, Beech Creek
Mutual Aid
Dunnstown responded with 5-63, provided RIT and additional
manpower.
Howard Co. 14 responded with 14-18, provided cascade, scene
lighting, and manpower.
Mill
Hall responded with 4-1, provided standby at station 9 then
called to the scene for manpower relief. |
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