Fire Damages Freedom Township Home

An afternoon fire in Freedom Township on Sunday, Nov. 26, brought a response from 10 fire departments and closed a portion of Dunnings Highway for several hours while firefighters battled the blaze.

The initial call about the fire at 160 Benton Rd. indicated entrapment. Freedom Township Fire Chief Ron Henry said police officers from Greenfield and Freedom townships were able to remove the entrapped individual before firefighters arrived on scene.

Henry said fire crews were on scene within minutes of the alarm and arrived to find the home in flames with heavy smoke pouring from the structures roof. Because of the lack of hydrants in the area, tanker trunks shuttled water from the hydrant at the Freedom Township Fire Hall. Henry said a portion of Dunnings Highway was closed to traffic to allow the tankers to move to and from the fire hall without delay.

Henry said the Freedom Township Fire Marshall was on scene and determined the fire was caused by a malfunctioning wood burner in an outside shed that ignited a nearby woodpile. Henry said the fire quickly spread to the house.

Crews from Roaring Spring, Martinsburg, Claysburg, Duncansville, Geeseytown, Allegheny Township, Imler, and Blue Knob joined Freedom Township to fight the fire while Lakemont served as standby at the Freedom Township station. AMED also provided assistance.

"I can't say enough about how much I appreciate our mutual aid partners," Henry said. "Our community of firefighters are dedicated and always here to help."

Henry said damage to the home was heavy and that no injuries were reported.