Fire causes heavy damage to house in Loyalhanna Township, no injuries reported

Firefighters responded Sunday afternoon to a fire reported in the basement of a home in Loyalhanna Township.

The fire was reported in the single-family dwelling near the intersection of Route 981 and Pump Station Road about 3:45 p.m., according to a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher.

No injuries were reported.

Multiple fire companies and a tanker truck were dispatched to the scene to provide manpower, according to radio dispatches.

Firefighters reported they were breaking into the structure’s roof to vent the fire while crews worked to extinguish the flames.

At 4:36 p.m., firefighters reported the fire was knocked down and they were beginning salvage operations.

While fighting the fire, crews reported a staircase was destroyed and a support beam in the basement was heavily damaged.

A state police fire marshal was summoned to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire.

The homeowners told fire officials they arranged for a place to stay and did not need the services of the Red Cross.