Chief: Victim Safety Key in Barkeyville Fire Rescue

| January 20, 2018

IRWIN TWP., Pa. (EYT) – Firefighters from two volunteer departments worked together to rescue three people trapped on the roof of a burning house in Irwin Township.

(Photo by Gerry Rae)

According to a representative from Venango County 911, the call came in around 1:22 a.m. for a fully-engulfed residential fire on Route 8, south of Barkeyville, about 1/2 mile from the Butler County line.

Two trucks from the Harrisville Volunteer Fire Department arrived, followed by Clintonville VFD.

The second truck had a ladder on it, which firefighters used to get the people off the porch roof.

“I’m very proud and glad we were able to help,” Harrisville VFD Chief Steve Bickel said. “That’s the first priority – to make sure everyone is okay – and we’re happy we could help before it got worse.”

“All the fire companies work pretty well together. We may come from different communities, but we all have the same goals,” Bickel said.

According to Clintonville VFD Chief Gerry Rae, “The fire was first called in as a chimney fire but was changed to a fully-blown fire, which is believed to be from a wood burner on the eastern end of the house.”

“When our department arrived, there were three people – two men and a woman – on a second-story porch roof.”

One man was transported from the scene by Superior Ambulance. It is unknown if he suffered any injuries.

Firefighters from Clintonville, Emlenton, Eau Claire, St. Petersburg, Polk, Sandycreek, Oakland Township, Harrisville, Marion Twp., Grove City, Slippery Rock, Pine Township, Springfield, and East End were dispatched.

According to Chief Rae, the firefighters were able to save the adjacent garage and two vehicles.

The scene cleared around 5:30 a.m.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The house was uninsured.


Copyright © 2024 EYT Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of EYT Media Group, Inc. is expressly prohibited.

Tags:

Category: Local News, News, Police & Fire Calls