Aug 27, 2008 By Josh Krysak 1 min read

Five people escaped injury Tuesday morning when fire ripped through the attic of their home in North Union Township. Firefighters said Jamie Maggert, along with his wife and their children, were able to escape the residence after a fire started in the attic of the single-story house on Cooper Street around 9:40 a.m.

Robert Mankovich, chief of the North Union Township Volunteer Fire Department, said that while the attic sustained severe damage in the blaze, the living area of the home only sustained smoke and water damage.

He said the family was displaced as a result of the fire.

Firefighters worked quickly to knock down the fire that was lapping at an attic window when crews arrived.

Mankovich said the cause of the blaze appears to be accidental, but added the state police fire marshal is continuing to investigate.

Maggert declined to comment on the fire.

Volunteer firefighters from North Union Township and Hopwood joined emergency personnel from Uniontown Firemen’s Ambulance at the scene.

The southwestern Pennsylvania chapter of the American Red Cross is providing food, clothing and shelter for Maggert and his family.