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10 Pa. FDs rely on tankers to battle house fire

Firefighters in South Huntingdon Township faced a lack of hydrants and relied on a water shuttle

By Julia Maruca
The Tribune-Review

SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The 10 fire companies that responded to a destructive house fire in South Huntingdon Township last week were challenged by a lack of nearby fire hydrants, according to Turkeytown Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dan Pergola Jr.

“Our crews made every effort to fight the fire, along with the neighboring companies, but there was an issue with no hydrants in the area. The nearest hydrant, I believe we calculated to be about a mile and a half away,” Pergola said.

“We brought in tankers from neighboring departments to assist us with that, and we shuttled the water from the nearest hydrant to the scene itself.”

The cause of the fire at a multi-story wooden house along Boy Scout Road is still undetermined, he said. The fire, first reported at 11:45 a.m. on Friday, took hours to extinguish.

Flames engulfed the home, killing four cats and leaving the home’s residents, John and Deb Comer and their grandson, Jacob, with nothing, according to family members.

An online fundraiser is set up and donations of nonperishable food, cleaning supplies and household goods, such as pots and pans, towels and dishes can be dropped off on the porch of 130 Route 31, Ruffs Dale.

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