Mother, four children hospitalized following Burgettstown fire
After a Burgettstown family escaped a fire that ultimately destroyed their home, the mother went back into the burning house to rescue one of her children.
The fire broke out about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday at 136 Center Ave. Burgettstown fire Chief Jerry McClain said the fire was accidental, but the exact cause remains undetermined.
The mother and her four children were hospitalized following the fire.
The children range in age from 2 to 8. McClain said one suffered minor burns, and the others were treated for smoke inhalation. The mother suffered burns on her face, arms and feet.
The mother was taken by ambulance to UPMC-Mercy hospital, and the children were taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
“Most of the fire was contained to the bottom living room, and the fire started to spread upstairs into the hallway where everyone was at. So they had to go down the stairs to get out,” McClain said.
Once outside with three of her children, McClain said the mother went back inside for the remaining youngster.
The neighboring home, only about eight feet away, sustained damage to its siding.
Burgettstown Assistant Chief Zack Bugay was the officer in charge at the scene. Burgettstown was assisted by Midway, Slovan-Smith Township, McDonald, Sturgeon, Hanover, Mt. Pleasant and Jefferson Township fire departments and Washington County Public Safety.
“There was a very good knockdown. It could have been worse than what it is,” McClain said.