Children Dead, Propane Heater Eyed for Fire in Buffington Township, PA
The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
(TNS)
DILLTOWN, Pa. – Propane heaters used in a home without electricity might have been the cause of a fire that killed two children Sunday in Indiana County’s Buffington Township, fire officials said.
Vintondale fire Chief Rob Garver described the fire as a tragedy Monday, saying crews were aware that young people were trapped inside the home, but had no way to reach them. Flames blocked every entry point, he said.
“The whole house was fully involved when our first unit arrived,” Garver said, adding that flames had already ripped through the floor on the main level of the house.
The children – identified as a 12-year-old female and a 14-year-old male by the Indiana County Coroner’s Office – were found together inside the same area of the home, Garver said. They were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Indiana County Coroner Jerry Overman Jr.
“You never want to have a fatal fire, and it makes it even harder for us knowing that these were young people,” Garver said. “I’ve been with Vintondale ( Fire Department) for 37 years and we’ve never had anything like this before.”
One woman living at the home, the mother of one of the children, was transported from the scene due to injuries she sustained in the fire, Garver said. She reportedly was injured trying to rescue the children. The extent of her injuries was not immediately known Monday.
One firefighter suffered burns to his fingers and one ear from the intense fire, Garver said. The injured firefighter was treated at the scene.
The Indiana County Coroner’s Office did not release the names of the young fire victims.
The 14-year-old boy, who officials said was a guest at the house, was identified by his mother as Justin Haase on a GoFundMe page Monday. A separate obituary described him as a freshman at United High School who enjoyed video games, joking around and teasing his sisters.
“He was a great and loving boy. Everyone that met him, fell in love with his personality within minutes,” Vicki Haase wrote on the online fundraiser page.
Justin Haase’s funeral arrangements were being handled by the Kenneth Stuart Funeral Home in New Florence. A visitation was planned for Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Firefighters from two counties spent seven hours at the scene battling the fire or lingering hot spots, and eventually needed to bring in an excavator to assist.
A state police fire marshal was investigating to help issue a determination on the official cause of the blaze, Garver and Overman said.
Garver said the home was a total loss.
It was not clear Monday how long power had been shut off at the Dilltown Heights Road residence, or why. Penelec officials said privacy regulations prevent them from sharing details about customer accounts.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends affected by this tragic incident,” Penelec spokeswoman Lauren Siburkis said.
Several animals, including livestock, were temporarily displaced by the fire and are being supported by Whiskey Acres Animal Rescue and Sanctuary near Homer City.
The nonprofit rescue announced on its Facebook page that it would be raising support for the family through its annual Nov. 15 Celebration of Life fundraiser in Black Lick, Indiana County.
Both of the children who died in the fire were United School District students. United School District officials were collecting clothing at the junior/senior high school for members of the family displaced by the fire.
Those donations can be accepted at the school from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, school officials said.
School officials have described the incident as a tragic event and said counselors and crisis management team officials were available for students struggling with the loss of classmates.
Vintondale firefighters were assisted at the fire scene by crews from Armagh & East Wheatfield, Brush Valley, Clyde, New Florence and Nanty Glo, Garver said.
Middle Taylor Township firefighters were dispatched to Vintondale’s station and Seward firefighters were dispatched to Armagh & East Wheatfield to serve as standby units.
Citizens’ Ambulance Service and the Indiana County Emergency Management Agency also responded to the scene, Overman wrote in a media release.
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