An Exeter Township neighbor ran into bitter predawn cold to alert residents after discovering a wind-fueled fire burning in a modular home’s garage Sunday, officials said.
The Sunday fire in the 100 block of Old Friedensburg Road started in the attached garage of a modular home where one person lived, with flames threatening a large camper trailer on the property that two other people occupied, Exeter Fire Marshal David M. Bentz said.
Bentz said it appears the fire grew undetected for about 10 minutes before the neighbor discovered the flames about 3 a.m.
Everyone got out safely, but the roof of the modular home collapsed and was rendered uninhabitable, he said.
The neighbor did a good job of reporting the fire and waking the residents so fire crews could start rolling, Bentz said.
One person resided in the house.
Crews fought adverse conditions, including a wind of 20 mph to 30 mph and temperatures in the single digits, making conditions feel like well below zero.
Three water lines from Exeter Township Fire Department were placed into service, while firefighters on a ladder truck pelted the flames, which ran the length of the roof, from above.
A second alarm was struck to draw additional help. Support came from many mutual aid partners and agencies, including the Salvation Army of Boyertown’s Canteen unit and a bus from Chester County Mass Casualty Unit, Jordan said. The bus gave firefighters and others a warm, comfortable place to rest and take in hot food and beverages, he said.
The Exeter Township road department spread salt and antiskid materials as the water runoff quickly turned to ice.
“The crews did an outstanding job under those circumstances,” Jordan said of the firefighters. “It was a really tough situation for them, but they all stepped up and did an outstanding job.”
Damage was estimated at $200,000, including camper damage, Bentz said.
The cause hasn’t been determined, but nothing appears suspicious, the fire marshal said.