KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS Firefighters are seen entering the vacant property at 152 Susquehanna Ave., South Renovo following a fire that engulfed the property early Monday morning.

SOUTH RENOVO — Rural residents and communities are undeniably reliant on volunteer rescue members that make up local fire and rescue crews. Every so often an incident occurs that particularly illustrates just how important those that step up to serve their town are to the safety and welfare of all.

Such was the case in South Renovo on Monday morning just before 8 a.m.

At 7:55 a.m., a call went out for a structure fire at 152 Susquehanna Ave.

Suddenly every onlooker, whether they lived in South Renovo or just across the river in Renovo, looked towards the area and saw smoke and flames fuming out of the 100 block of Susquehanna Avenue.

Citizen’s Hose Company Station of South Renovo Chief Eric Knauff, who lives just three blocks away, sped to the site also taking in the obvious badly burning blaze.

Fortunately, Knauff happened to be off work that day.

As he and others arrived on scene, greeting them was a house fire that had flames coming out of the first, second and third stories on three of the four sides of the property.

According to fire personnel, the total loss of the property, currently vacant and only recently sold to new owners making repairs, caused them to turn their attention toward preserving the two neighboring properties.

Most of the flames and smoke were traveling with the wind down river towards the neighboring property of 160 Susquehanna, a brick house similar to 152.

In the aftermath of the fire, it was quickly realized that between 152 being brick and having a metal roof, it helped to contain the heat to the one location as rescue personnel successfully saved the two neighboring properties, according to first responders.

The block on which the fire occurred is notoriously windy. With temperatures below freezing the conditions were not friendly to first responders.

The water being used to put out the flames was freezing as crews doused the flames.

In true small town fashion, neighbors quickly began spreading their own salt to assist in their efforts.

“I happened to be off today but we’re very fortunate to have a few guys that work right here in town. They were also here in minutes and between them and our outstanding pump operators the two neighboring houses are still standing, which were obviously our primary concern,” Knauff said.

As for individuals spreading salt to help the firemen from falling due to accumulating ice, Knauff added “you have to love a small town. There were no injuries and that certainly helped.”

Knauff did say discussion needs to be had with borough and water department officials.

He said that the use of only fire hydrants may have been enough, but that they quickly would have “bled the borough dry.”

Instead, pumpers had to continuously go to and from the boat launch and water source at the Flaming Foliage Lot across the bridge in Renovo.

Mike Nelson lives just two houses up from the property that burned and was just outside of Lock Haven headed for work when a family member notified him of the situation.

Immediately coming back up state Route 120, he was relieved to see the performance of the local and out-of-town crews and that his house was still standing.

“These guys are volunteers, I don’t think anyone can say enough about them, it’s a miracle that only one house burnt down today,” said Nelson.