House fire leaves Avonmore family of 5 homeless

An Avonmore family of five is homeless after fire swept through their home Friday afternoon.

Avonmore Volunteer Fire Company Chief John Shaffer said one of the adults and two kids were home but got out safely.

Several firefighters were checked by medics at the scene, but no one was transported.

The fire damage was severe and the family, whose identity was not immediately known, appears to have lost everything. They declined to be interviewed. The Red Cross is providing temporary assistance.

A Saltsburg firefighter gave the family several stuffed animals as a small comfort for the kids.

Shaffer said he received a quick response from numerous companies, but the house was fully engulfed when the first crews arrived.

The call came in about 3:15 p.m. Shaffer said the volunteers had the fire under control in about an hour and several fire departments began clearing the scene at 5:15 p.m.

Responding departments included Bell Township, Slickville, Saltsburg, Washington Township, Kiski Township, Sardis and Tunnelton.

Firefighters used a chainsaw and other tools to gain access to the roof to address hot spots. They also used a port-a-tank, a square, yellow pool to draw water from tankers to the fire scene. Shaffer said there were no issues as far as getting water.

Firefighters also used foam, which the chief said helped get the fire under control faster.