FULL STORY: Fire claims Hermitage home, truck

Jan. 18--HERMITAGE -- A Hermitage firefighter and a Farrell firefighter were injured in a blaze Friday.

One of the firefighters suffered from heat exhaustion and the other injured his shoulder after responding to a call at 1460 Selina Blvd.

Firefighters received the call at about 11:15 a.m. When they arrived, smoke and flames were shooting up from the garage area.

"We rolled up and the garage was going," Hermitage Fire Chief John Flynn said. "You could see the smoke column from pretty far away."

A man who lived in the house alone was not injured, but he lost everything, Flynn said.

The house, garage and semi truck without a trailer in front plus the inside contents were a total loss. Flynn estimated the monetary loss to be about $350,000.

State police fire marshals said the cause and origin of the fire are undetermined, although it appeared to have started in the area of the garage.

Flynn has not determined who the owner of the house is and whether or not they have insurance.

The American Red Cross was called and is assisting the man who lived in the house.

"The neighbors have sure stepped up to help him out. So that was pretty nice," Flynn said. "Some of the neighbors brought in food, and they're going to bring him some clothing and help him out."

Farrell, Patagonia, Sharon, Sharpsville, Shenango Township and West Middlesex firefighters assisted.

Follow Melissa Klaric on Twitter and Facebook @HeraldKlaric, email: mklaric@sharonherald.com

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