By Brett Hambright
Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)
Copyright 2007 Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.
LANCASTER, Pa. — A state fire marshal is investigating a two-alarm blaze that injured two firefighters Monday and destroyed a Martic Township home and garage.
The fire started about 7:30 p.m. in a detached garage at 430 Red Hill Road, investigators said, before it quickly spread to and gutted a nearby two-story home.
“Everything was destroyed,” Rawlinsville Deputy Fire Chief Dave Jackson Sr. said Tuesday night.
Financial losses and the homeowner’s identity were unavailable Tuesday.
Jackson said a man helped his family flee from their burning home. He then went back inside, got the family’s two dogs and escaped with them through a back window.
The blaze was brought under control in about 45 minutes, Jackson said. Firefighters were on the scene past midnight.
Two Rawlinsville firefighters, whose names were not released, sustained minor injuries. Jackson said one man had first-degree burns on his face, and the other had burns that were less severe. Another man sprained his knee and ankle.
Jackson said the men were injured during separate incidents - in the garage and home - but it was unclear what caused their injuries.
He said there were explosions inside the garage, possibly from a propane tank or an air-compressor, but he didn’t say the explosions caused any of the injuries.
The man who was burned returned to work Tuesday, Jackson said, and the other man will be taking some time off.
When first-responders arrived at the scene of the fire, Jackson said the garage was “fully involved” and flames had already spread to the home. A vehicle inside the garage was destroyed, Jackson said., No other injuries were reported.
Trooper James DeWalt is investigating the cause of the fire. He wasn’t immediately available for comment Tuesday.
Jackson said firefighters from Quarryville, Highville, Refton, Robert Fulton, Conestoga, Pequea, Lampeter and Delta (York) stations also responded to the blaze.