Firefighters contain blaze in basement of Mt. Pleasant Township home

Paul Peirce
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020 5:22 p.m. | Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020 5:22 p.m.

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Paul Peirce | Tribune-Review

Hecla Fire Chief Steve Howell (in white shirt) directs firefighters outside of the Penn Street home in Mt. Pleasant Township Thursday that was damaged by fire. The family escaped, but several pets died in the blaze.

Paul Peirce | Tribune-Review

Mt. Pleasant area firefighters survey damage in the basement of a home on Penn Street in Mt. Pleasant Township on Thursday. No injuries were reported, but several pets died in the fire.

Crews from several fire companies quickly doused a blaze Thursday afternoon that “moderately” damaged a Mt. Pleasant Township home.

“We were able to contain the fire in the basement and were able to save the home,” said Hecla Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steve Howell.

The fire was reported at 1:38 p.m. at 14 Penn St., just beyond the eastern border of Mt. Pleasant Borough.

“Fortunately, we were able to evacuate the family, but a couple of family pets perished,” Howell said.

“When we got here and got into the basement, it was mostly smoke … a little flame. We finally located the source up above between a couple of floor joists, but we haven’t been able to determine a cause yet,” Howell said.

According to Howell, when firefighters arrived they found the closest hydrant was a few blocks away.

“We were able to set up a (water) loading station for the tankers up next to the Smith Glass building,” he said.

Tankers then shuttled water to the scene.

“We had it out in about 25 minutes,” he said.

The basement had moderate damage, Howell said. None of the family or firefighters was reported to be injured.

In addition to Hecla, firefighters from Calumet, Kecksburg, Mt. Pleasant Borough, Mutual, Norvelt, Trauger and Youngwood assisted. Mt. Pleasant Medic 10 Ambulance was also at the scene.