Jan. 25--A fire that destroyed a ranch-style house in the Marshalls Creek area of the Poconos Wednesday morning may have been intentionally set during a burglary, according to a fire official.
Marshalls Creek Volunteer Fire Company Chief Joe Quaresimo said the owner of the house, located on Sweetwater Road off Coolbaugh Road in Middle Smithfield Township, said a gun safe and about 40 guns and rifles were missing from the house.
The state police fire marshal service has been requested to investigate, Quaresimo said.
A neighbor noticed flames shooting from the house and reported the fire around 7:45 a.m., and about 30 firefighters from Marshalls Creek and Bushkill Volunteer Fire Company responded to the call, Quaresimo said. Shawnee Fire Company also sent a water tanker truck.
Firefighters were able to save a portion of the house, which will allow the owner to recover some personal belongings, Quaresimo said. But the remaining structure will likely have to be torn down in order to rebuild on the property. Quaresimo said the owner, who lived alone and was at work at the time of the fire, did have insurance on the property.
He said the owner planned to stay with relatives in New Jersey, but the local chapter of the American Red Cross provided him with vouchers for clothing and personal items.
Firefighters remained on scene until about 11 a.m.
Tracy Jordan
Copyright 2012 - The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa.
