Fire destroys two Dunbar Twp. homes
Fire destroyed two Dunbar Township homes over the weekend, and the American Red Cross was called in to assist one family. Fire crews from area departments battled the blazes and the hot weather for about two hours on Saturday and Sunday while attempting to stay cool.
Both fires were ruled accidental, resulting in a total loss of the homes, while no one was injured in either blaze, according to Chief Jack Washabaugh of DL&V Volunteer Fire Department.
“It took us about two hours before we had the fire under control,” Washabaugh said shortly after he returned from the latest blaze Sunday. “We had to deal with a couple of hotspots.”
Both fires occurred at about 2:45 p.m. on consecutive days, while no connection exists between the blazes, according to Washabaugh.
On Sunday, a trailer along Nellie Road caught fire from a malfunction in the electric box inside the home, Washabaugh said.
No one was in the trailer at the time of the blaze, Washabaugh said. Robert Grindle lived in the home with a woman and child.
“He (Grindle) was coming up the lane leading to the home and he could see and smell smoke,” Washabaugh said, noting Grindle was preparing to make updates to the home. He had no insurance, and the American Red Cross assisted the family.
Tanker trucks from Flatwoods, Dawson and Connellsville Township hauled water to the scene of the fire since the home was located in a remote area.
Around the same time on Saturday afternoon, a double-wide at 207 Edwards St., Dickerson Run, caught fire, injuring no one, but resulting in $60,000 in damages. The fire, accidental in nature, was deemed a total loss, said Washabaugh.
Washabaugh said the home belonged to Cathy Thomas, who went to live with relatives after the fire.
Hydrants allowed crews easy access to water at the fire location.
With temperatures climbing to the upper 80s over the weekend, firefighters battled fire and hot weather.
“It was so hot yesterday,” Washabaugh said.
To keep firefighters cool and hydrated, a “rehab” area was set up for shade, fans and cool drinks.
Fire crews from Everson, Dawson, Morrell and Perry Township assisted DL&V at the scene of the blazes.