Firefighters battle fire, weather in South Lebanon

July 22--IONA -- Water and manpower were concerns for firefighters battling a fire Tuesday morning fire at 52 Fox Road in South Lebanon Township.

The extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 80 degrees by mid-morning, along with two faulty fire hydrants, created issues for the crews from the nine fire companies that responded.

The property, owned by Bruce Bollinger, is rented to Scott and Patty Curtier. Neither was home at the time of the fire.

The fire started in the kitchen shortly before 9 a.m. when Jared Spoo fell asleep with a pot of oil cooking on the stove, according to Lebanon Fire Commissioner Duane Trautman. Spoo is the boyfriend of the Curtier's daughter, Miranda Caibble. Spoo was awakened by the smell of smoke. It is not known if the smoke detectors went off prior to Spoo waking up.

No one was injured in the fire, but Curtier said her cat died.

After battling the initial blaze, crews were sent back to fight a second fire that started within the walls of the structure.

"You put out the initial blaze, and then (the fire) comes back to say hello," said Trautman, adding that the situation is not uncommon with balloon-frame wall structures, like those in the house. A back door to an extension of the house was closed, helping to prevent the fire from traveling farther back.

Crews worked to put out flames in both stories of the home, but they needed perodic breaks because of the heat and humidity.

"When you have temps like this, humidity is always a problem," said Lamar Martin of the Prescott Fire Co. The Salvation Army Canteen Truck as well as the Red Cross were both on hand.

"In conditions like this, guys can only last 15 to 20 minutes inside, and then they have to get out," said Lt. Josh Shank of First Aid and Safety Patrol.

FASP personnel kept a close eye on firefighters' vitals and hydration levels.

"We get cold fluids in them, get them rested up, and then they get back in," Shank said.

No firefighters were injured while on scene, with crews remaining till noon.

The fire hydrant in front of the property caused problems for crews, coming off when they first attempted opening it.

"The hydrant broke, and water was coming out of the bottom, which does nothing for us," said Martin.

A hydrant farther down Fox Road also caused concern.

"The hydrant just didn't want to open," Trautman said. "Thankfully, Prescott got here pretty quick with their tanker."

Trautman estimated that between 30 and 35 firefighters were on the scene helping to provide manpower.

Trautman said the home is salvageable and was covered by renters' and homeowner's insurance.

Crews from Friendship, Hebron Hose, Avon Citizens, Prescott, Neversink, Myerstown's Goodwill and Keystone Hook and Ladder,Cornwall, and Lebanon responded.

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