Two Greenwood residents homeless after Friday fire
Three pets killed
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A fire destroyed a double wide mobile home Friday morning in Greenwood, killing three pets and leaving two people homeless.
Firefighters went to the scene, fought the fire, then searched the house in the belief that there might have been a disabled person trapped inside, until one of the residents who lives there came home, according to Greenwood Fire Department Chief Mark Rispoli.
The incorrect belief arose after a paratransit driver from Blair Senior Services arrived at the house on Catherine Street for a scheduled pickup, saw the fire and called 911, according to Rispoli -- who didn't know why no one was home at the appointed time.
Asked whether firefighters were relieved to find that no person had died, Rispoli said, "Oh my God, yes."
He raised his arm, then lowered it to illustrate the subsequent reduction in stress level.
One dog and two cats died, though.
Officers from the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society removed their bodies from the house and took them away.
The American Red Cross was expected to provide the means for the residents to stay in a hotel for a time, according to Rispoli, who didn't know the names of those residents.
They didn't have insurance on the house, he said.
The chief estimated the loss at about $50,000.
A state police fire marshal is investigating.
Firefighters arrived within three minutes of the
8:21 a.m. alarm, according to Rispoli.
The Mirror left messages with the fire marshal and Blair Senior Services in an attempt to get additional information.
All five of the Logan Township fire departments responded, as did the departments from Bellwood and Pinecroft, which provided backup, Rispoli said.
About 25 firefighters were there altogether, he said.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.