Crews battle blaze at Penn Township home

Crews from multiple fire departments were battling a blaze Thursday evening that caused extensive damage to a Penn Township home.

The blaze was reported about 4:45 p.m. in the 300 block of Mt. Manor Road. Harrison City and Westmoreland City fire departments were the first to respond to the scene.

Harrison City fire Chief Gene Good said heavy smoke was pouring from the garage area of the two-story brick house when emergency crews arrived.

Firefighters attempted an interior attack before retreating to fight the flames from the outside.

Good said one firefighter became disoriented while fighting the fire. Irwin Volunteer Fire Department crews extracted the firefighter from the building, and he was treated at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

“(The firefighters) are all OK. They all were checked by medical,” Good said. “All of their vitals were clear, oxygen levels were clear, and they went back to work fighting the fire.”

A portion of the roof had fallen in while crews continued to attack the fire after 6 p.m.

The cause of the fire wasn’t immediately known. Township officials are expected to investigate.

Residents should avoid the area for the next few hours.