Photos/Story by Teresa Wolfe

On Tuesday February 5th at 1249 hrs. the Franklin County Communications Center started recieving numberous calls from passing motorists on the Pennsylvania Turnpike reporting a house fire in the area of mile marker 186.

Dispatchers determined the fire to possibly be in the area of Mountain Green Rd & Shady Pine Rd, after units were dispatched a 911 call was recieved from the 19000 blk of Swailes Rd in Metal Twp. reporting a house fire, units were directed to the corrected location.

At 1254 hrs. Eng.21-1 (Metal Twp FD) arrived on scene to find a 2 1/2 story farm house with heavy fire to the rear.

Lieutenant 21 assumed command, all units were switched to fireground channel 2. First alarm assignment consisted of Eng.21-1 & Amb. 21-8 (Metal Twp FD), Eng's 12-2, 12-1, Tanker 12 & Amb.12-8 (Fannett-Metal FD), Eng.11-1 (Pleasant Hall FD), Eng.Tanker-9 (MMP&W FD), Eng.Tanker 14 (Shade Gap FD-Hunnigton County) & Tanker 57 (Hustontown FD-Fulton County).

At 1308 hrs. Command 21 requested a second alarm assignment consisting of Eng.18-1 (St.Thomas FD), Eng 251 (Newburg-Hopewell FD-Cumberland County), Tanker 56 (McConnelsburg FD-Fulton County), Squad 15 (West End Fire & Rescue) & Air 53 (CV Hose FD-Cumberland County).

Crews were hampered by strong winds carrying embers to an adjoining field and wooded area causing small spot fires which were quickly extinguished.

Tankers were shuttled from the scene to a neaby creek where a water supply had been established.

At approximately 1600 hrs. Command 21 started releasing units from the fireground and requested the Pa.State Police Fire Marshall be notified.

No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported and the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

The last unit cleared the scene at 1730 hrs.