Man escapes house fire in Pottsville

Dec. 14--A house fire in Pottsville on Sunday left a man and his dog temporarily homeless.

The Pottsville Fire Department responded at 1:18 p.m. to the fire at 620 W. Arch St. Pottsville First Assistant Chief Jim Misstishin said firefighters were met with strong fire and heavy smoke from the front and the rear of the structure.

"There is heavy fire damage on the first floor, heat and smoke damage throughout the house," Misstishin said.

The fire was contained in about 20 minutes, but firefighters remained on scene as of 4 p.m. Sunday. Misstishin said he did not see smoke detectors in the building.

Misstishin did not know the cause of the fire Sunday night. He said Pottsville police, Pottsville Fire Department and a fire marshal from state police at Reading are investigating the fire.

"Right now, it's undetermined," Misstishin said.

He estimated the damages at about $15,000 to $20,000.

The homeowner, Dean Subach, 43, and his dog, JJ, escaped the fire. Subach said he was sleeping upstairs when he woke up to the smell of smoke.

"I opened my eyes and there was smoke everywhere," he said.

Subach said he tried to escape off the balcony but could not open the door. He eventually escaped out the front of the house wearing nothing but underwear and slippers. He grabbed a Bible and two fishing rods. JJ ran out the door when firefighters arrived.

"I have no home insurance. I lost everything," Subach said.

A neighbor, Steven Connors, gave Subach some clothes to wear.

Beverly Slater, who lives at 619 W. Arch St. and is Connors' mother, was at home visiting with a friend, Steve Zucal, who also lives nearby. They were sitting on her porch when two children, Cameron Zucal, 6, and Dalton Scott, 10, both of Pottsville, smelled smoke. Steve Zucal called 911, and Scott knocked on doors of neighboring homes.

Patty Daley, disaster team captain with the Tri-County chapter of American Red Cross, said the Red Cross was providing food, housing and clothing assistance to Subach.

Schuylkill Haven Rapid Intervention Team and Schuylkill EMS also responded to the fire.

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