By Tom Mitchell
The Leader Times
Copyright 2007 The Leader-Times

FORD CITY, Pa. — Two firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion Saturday after battling a house fire.

The firefighters, whose names were not disclosed, were from the Manor Township and Ford City fire departments. Ford City fire Chief Ron Wojcik said the Ford City fireman was treated at the scene by Hose Co. 6 EMTs. The Manor Township fireman was taken by ambulance to ACMH Hospital and treated and released.

Fire crews from Ford City, Ford Cliff, Manor Township, West Kittanning and Kittanning Hose Cos. 1, 4 and 6 arrived at 1323 Fourth Ave. about five to seven minutes after the call was received about 3 p.m.

Wojcik said the house owner, John Thompson, had hired two people to remove paint from soffit and siding at the rear of the house. The workers were using a propane torch and caught the wood structure on fire, he said.

"The fire spread to inside the attic and burned some of the rear part of the attic but did not spread to the lower levels of the house," Wojcik said. "I would guess that there may have been $5,000 to $6,000 worth of damage. The fire companies involved were on the scene pretty quick and were able to contain the damage. It was a hot day, and we kept rotating firemen because of the heat. The two men who suffered heat exhaustion are OK now. They were told to take it easy for the rest of the day."