Pocono News Section

Schuylkill County Fire Labeled Suspicious

Schuylkill County Fire Labeled Suspicious - Monday, October 13, 2008 at 6:19PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Oct 13, 2008 @ 06:19pm EST
LLEWELYN, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY - Fire officials in Schuylkill County say a big blaze that destroyed two homes early Monday morning is suspicious.

The fire started in a vacant home in the 200-block of Willing Street just after 1:00 AM. It then spread to an occupied home next door, forcing two people out into the night.

Beverly Fish and her Daughter Elena got a chance to go back into their fire damaged home Monday afternoon. They spent hours combing through the debris, sorting for any keepsakes.

"It was crazy. It went crazy. The fire was on the far side of the house and moved through the whole house. In 15 minutes, the whole house was filled in flames," Beverly Fish said.

Firefighters don't know why the fire started in the vacant home and quickly spread. No one was hurt.

"This is the first one (fire) in years in our community, that we had a major structure fire," firefighter Joe Pothering said.

Neighbors say they're ready to help the fire victims recover.

"This is a very close-knit street that we live on. Everyone knows each other," neighbor Bonnie McHugh said.

Despite all the fire damage, there is one glimmer of hope. The Fish family's cat "Princess" was found alive in the rubble. The fire victims know they're just as lucky.

"Probably the only thing that saved us -- is that we were up late watching TV. My bedroom is on that side of the house," Beverly Fish said.