Pocono News Section

Fire Destroys Lackawanna County Home

Fire Destroys Lackawanna County Home - Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 8:47PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Sunday, May 11, 2008 @ 08:47pm EST
MADISONVILLE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - Flames raced through a home in one part of Lackawanna County Sunday afternoon destroying the building. Thick, white smoke poured from the building in the 4100-block of Bearbrooke Road in Madisonville just after 1:00 PM.

Firefighters worked to save the building, but neighbors watched in awe as the home was destroyed.

"You couldn't see hardly over there. There was so much smoke coming right from it. The wind was blowing it over this way," neighbor Ed Weidow said.

Besides the smoke, there was also heavy fire damage.

"Inside you could see the light through the windows and the doors. It was all yellow and orange flames," Weidow said.

Ed and Christina Matyjevich and their five kids have lived in the home for the last eight years. They were away fishing at the time of the fire. Family members didn't want to speak about the blaze, but say the family cat died in the fire.

"They're nice people. They're a nice bunch. They never bother anyone and they're good," Weidow said.

Firefighters had to truck in water to the scene to fight the blaze. They say the cause is still under investigation.

"Right now, it's undetermined. We're waiting for the state police fire marshall to come in and investigate," Assistant Fire Chief Tony Minella said.

Firefighters say the home is a total loss. The American Red Cross is currently helping the fire victims in Lackawanna County.