A fire in Millvale has left a father and his two children without a home and searching for their beloved cats.<\/p>\n
Fire crews faced an uphill battle reaching a single-family home on a dead-end street at the corner of Siegel and Lippert.<\/p>\n
However, more than nine different fire crews, including Sharpsburg, Etna and Millvale, climbed to get the fire out of the house as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n
“There was nothing left of that house within minutes,” said neighbor Andrew Barnes.<\/p>\n
He woke up to the fire engines and the flames ripping through the home.<\/p>\n
“I was nervous. It was close,” said Barnes, referring to the fast-spreading flames and the proximity of his house.<\/p>\n
Millvale firefighters arrived within about five minutes, according to Millvale Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jim Tunstall.<\/p>\n
He and the team responded to the call around 6:30 a.m. for a reported oven fire.<\/p>\n
“Clearly, when we got here, there was a lot more than that,” Tunstall said.<\/p>\n
He said the roof burned so much, it sent smoke into the air that could be seen from miles away.<\/p>\n
“It was a quick fire. We had a stubborn issue in the attic. We also had exposure … the house at 227 was beginning to catch,” Tunstall added. “High on a hill, we have limited water resources up here. Luckily, we did have a good hydrant; we had the water we needed.”<\/p>\n
“Definitely crazy, definitely not something you see every single day and I’m hoping everybody got out all right,” said Barnes.<\/p>\n
Millvale fire officials confirmed a father and his two children, ages 15 and 17, got out of the home safely.<\/p>\n
For the family now left with nothing, they’re grateful one cat was caught safe, burnt whiskers, paws, and all.<\/p>\n
In the aftermath, they’re asking for help finding the other cats: Nini, who was last seen running away, and Malcolm the tabby cat, who’s still unaccounted for.<\/p>\n
“We’re a good community. I’m sure the community will come together to help them because that’s what Millvale does every time,” Barnes said.<\/p>\n
While the search for the cats continues, the Red Cross and Salvation Army are helping the family. The fire marshal’s office will continue to investigate the cause of the fire.<\/p>\n
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