Firefighters from multiple companies battled an overnight fire in the Scotch Valley area of Hollidaysburg. Both residents were able to escape the blaze, but one resident suffered severe burns. Courtesy photo
HOLLIDAYSBURG — One person suffered severe burns in an early Thursday morning house fire in the Scotch Valley area.
Firefighters were dispatched to 110 Susan Ave. about 3:17 a.m., after a neighbor called 911 to report the fire, said Trevor Walls, assistant fire chief at Geeseytown Community Fire Company.
Once on scene, firefighters found heavy flames in the front and rear of the structure.
“There were two occupants in the home at the time of the fire, and they were both able to get out, but one of them had severe burns,” he said.
Both occupants were transported by Hollidaysburg American Legion Ambulance Service to the hospital.
A home at 110 Susan Ave. in Hollidaysburg was destroyed by fire early Thursday.
Mirror photo by Cati Keith
Walls said the home’s occupants were able to escape the bulk of the fire thanks to smoke detectors that woke them up and gave them enough time to get out.
The American Red Cross was called to assist them, he said.
Fog that was present early in the morning hindered the visibility of firefighters while responding to the fire and while fighting it, Walls said.
Once a water supply issue was resolved, firefighters used a defensive attack on the fire due to the structure’s deteriorating conditions.
Walls said the fire spread rapidly and the structure collapsed into the foundation making the home a total loss.
Walls said the front door camera of a next door neighbor captured the fire and the video was given to the fire marshal to aid in the investigation.
An excavator from Henry Enterprises was called in to help with the cleanup of the structure.
The fire was completely cleared as of 8:30 a.m. though the debris continued to smoke, Walls said.
Geeseytown was assisted on the scene by multiple fire companies, including Phoenix, Lakemont, Greenwood, Newburg, Duncansville, Freedom Township, Allegheny Township, Friendship, Excelsior, Claysburg and Williamsburg.
Huntingdon Regional Fire transferred to Geeseytown and Logan Township centralized to cover calls for the crews that were out at the fire.
Mirror staff writer Cati Keith can be reached at 814-946-7535.