University student, dog escape house fire

By JIM RUNKLE — jrunkle@lockhaven.com
LOCK HAVEN — Firefighters put a quick stop on a structure fire as it was just getting ready to flare out of control early today at West Third and North Highland Streets.

After an intensive, 15-minute effort, firefighters managed to save the structure despite the heavy flames that were rolling from the windows when they arrived on scene at about 2:30 a.m.

“When we got there fire was showing from the first floor windows,” Lock Haven Fire Department Chief Robert Neff said. “It wasn’t too far ahead of us, but it was getting there. ... The guys pretty much confined the fire to the living room area of the house. They did a good job getting a quick knockdown on it.”

Neff estimated the damage at $30,000 and said the residence was insured. The cause of the blaze is undetermined at this time. The state police fire marshall is expected to arrive this morning to conduct an investigation into the blaze.

Neff said the two-and-a-half-story, wood-frame house is owned by Mike Rogers of the Renovo Road, and was being used as student housing.

“There was one female resident at home at the time,” Neff said. “Ariel Byer woke up when the smoke detector went off, came downstairs and found the fire in the living room. She called the emergency in, and she and a pet dog got out without any problems.”

Neff said it took the volunteers about 15 minutes to bring the blaze under control, but the firefighters remained on scene for another hour or so to conduct mop-up and clean-up operations.

Despite the densely packed nature of the neighborhood and the close proximity of several other homes, no nearby structure appeared to be damaged.

The fire was intense enough to melt the siding and char the window frames and interior of the building.

Most of the fire damage was confined to the first floor, but heat and smoke damage extended to the second story, Neff said.

“It was heated pretty good,” Neff said. “The tenant lost her clothing and other belongings on the second floor from the heat.”

No firefighters were injured in the effort.

Some 40 firefighters from Lock Haven, Dunnstown and Castanea fire companies responded and brought six emergency vehicles into play in ending the emergency.

“It was a pretty routine room-and-contents house fire,” Neff said.