Fire engulfs North Franklin Township home
Flames shoot from a home on Scenic Drive in North Franklin Township.
Smoke pours from a home on Scenic Drive in North Franklin Township. The fire was believed to have been caused by an electrical problem.
A home in North Franklin Township was heavily damaged by fire late Thursday.
The blaze, which started about 11 p.m., originated in the basement of the house at 1075 Scenic Drive. The homeowner originally thought the fire was caused by a woodburner, but an investigation revealed it was electrical, said North Franklin Fire Chief David Bane.
Two women who live there, including the homeowner, escaped without injury, though one was taken to Washington Hospital to be evaluated for frostbite on her feet. The temperature Thursday night was in the single digits.
The entire house has extensive water and smoke damage. The basement and a sunporch were destroyed by flames. Bane said the house is uninhabitable at this point and that the homeowner has insurance.
The residents had six cats and two dogs. The dogs and three of the cats were accounted for. Bane said the residents opened the doors to the home, so it’s not clear if the other cats escaped.
North Franklin firefighters were assisted by crews from Canton, South Franklin and South Strabane.
The Red Cross is assisting the residents with clothes and housing.