Pot of grease blamed in Packer fire

Nov. 15--A pot of grease on the stove started a stubborn fire that destroyed a Packer Township home Wednesday and displaced a family of four.

Martin Cichowic, the home's owner, said Thursday a pot of grease got away from his 15-year-old son, Marty, who suffered burns on his arm and hand while trying to remove the pot from the home.

"He didn't make it (out of the house)," the elder Cichowic said.

A state police fire marshal and Weatherly's fire chief were on the scene Thursday. They believe the fire was accidental, Cichowic said.

Cichowic also met Thursday with an insurance adjuster at the home he and his wife, Lori, built. Firefighters knocked out windows to vent the home and cut numerous holes in the roof to get at the flames, as water poured down through the home and into the basement.

The home may be a complete loss, he said.

Cichowic's son, who called 911 and rescued the family's dog before going to a neighbor's home, is doing well despite the burns and returned to school on Thursday, he said.

The Cichowics' daughter, Heather, who recently graduated from Weatherly Area High School, was away at school, he said.

The family lost everything, including tools used to build the home, Cichowic said. The family, which was dealing with hard economic times, is staying nearby with friends and hopes to rebuild.

A fund, the Cichowic Fire Fund, is being set up to help the family at the National Penn Bank in Weatherly, said Tom Gerhard, a family friend. Anyone who wants to help can donate to the fund, he said. Also, anyone interested in doing a fundraiser can contact Tom and Susie Gerhard at 570-582-0021 or 570-427-4846.

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