By A.J. Panian
Tribune-Review (Greensburg, Pa.)
Copyright 2006 Tribune Review Publishing Company
All Rights Reserved
Eastern Derry fire Chief James Sulkosky was injured Tuesday while trying to put out a fire at his Derry home.
Sulkosky was treated at West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, and released after suffering burns and smoke inhalation.
State police fire marshal Trooper Jake Andolina ruled the fire accidental.
According to Andolina’s report, the fire was ignited about 5:20 a.m. by smoldering cigarette ashes in a bedroom on the second floor of the 35-year-old fire chief’s home on West Fourth Street.
Damage was estimated at $10,000.
Sulkosky was transported by medical helicopter to Pittsburgh, authorities said. No one else was injured.
“We didn’t get called to the scene; the only thing we know is that the call came in as a bedroom fire,” said Eastern Derry firefighter Mike Garufi.
Crews from Derry and Bradenville kept the fire from spreading beyond the bedroom.
Route 217 was closed to traffic for about an hour, and traffic was rerouted around the scene before firefighters were cleared from the scene about 7:45 a.m.
Fire officials from Derry and Bradenville were not available for comment yesterday.