SHIPPENVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – A wall heater is believed to be the cause of a fire that occurred at The Cricket Inn along Route 322 in Shippenville late Monday morning.

Shippenville-Elk Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jeremy Hallberg issued a report on Tuesday.

“The fire and damage could have been much worse!” Hallberg said. “Through quick response time and coordinated efforts through multiple agencies, we gained control of the fire in an optimal amount of time.”

The Cricket Inn is a single level apartment complex.

By the time fire companies had arrived, all residents of apartment No. 7 — where the fire occurred — had left, and all the surrounding units were cleared without any injuries, according to Hallberg.

Two entry points were made in the structure to suppress fire, one through the roof and the other through a neighboring unit from where fire originated.

There was no estimate on damages. Two apartments were severely damaged and another had a small amount of damage.

According to a previous story on exploreClarion.com, the fire broke out around 10:40 a.m.

At 11:29 a.m., Shippenville-Elk Volunteer Fire Department reported that the fire was under control. The scene was cleared a short time later.

Knox Volunteer Fire Department; Clarion Fire & Hose Company No. 1; Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department; Shippenville Ambulance; and Knox Ambulance responded to the scene.

Photos/Video by Daniel Pesina