Fire rips through Richland Township residence

Russ O Reilly, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·1 min read

Mar. 30—A fire consumed the inside of a house divided into two rental units Saturday on the 1300 block of Frances Street in Richland Township.

Richland Township Fire Department Chief Wes Meyers said the cause of the fire is under investigation, but preliminary findings suggest it began in the garage under the two-floor house and quickly spread through the walls of the house to the attic.

Firefighters were dispatched at 12:30 p.m.

Both residents of the apartments, one on the first floor and the other on the second floor, left the building safely.

Some firefighters on the scene sustained minor injuries, including cuts and smoke inhalation, and were treated at the scene, Meyers said.

Mark Hoffman, resident of the first-floor apartment, said he was woken by a fire detector as smoke filled his apartment, but he didn't see any flames, he said.

"I can't believe it happened," Hoffman said. "I'm happy everyone is okay."

The other resident evacuated her two cats and traveled to stay with family, Meyers said.

Richland Fire Department was assisted with the firefight by Scalp Level, Windber, Johnstown, Adams Township, Oakland, Dauntless and Nanty Glo fire departments as well as East Hills EMS and Richland Township police, according to the Cambria County 911 center.