East Deer couple, children escape house fire unhurt

A couple and their children escaped unhurt from a fire at their East Deer home early Wednesday.

The fire at 510 West Ninth Ave.was reported shortly before 3:30 a.m. Crews cleared the scene about two hours later.

East Deer fire Chief Jack Bailie Jr. said the husband and wife were already out of the house with their three children, including a baby, when firefighters arrived. Two dogs also got out unhurt.

“They had the baby in their car, and they were standing next to it,” Bailie said.

The chief said firefighters arrived to find fire in the basement and smoke coming out of the garage.

Crews found fire in the ceiling of the basement directly under the fireplace.

Bailie said it appeared that a spark or ember from a fire in the fireplace escaped and ignited the wood floor underneath it.

The fire was put out quickly, and firefighters checked to be sure it didn’t spread into the walls, Bailie said.

Damage to the house was limited to smoke and a 4-foot square directly under the fireplace, he said.

Firefighters used a hydrant at West Ninth Avenue and Grantham Street just over the border in Tarentum instead of others closer to the house, including one directly across the street. Bailie said that was because the Tarentum hydrant had a better water supply.

Bailie said the family should be able to get back in the house once the electric and gas utilities are turned back on.