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Fire Rips Coal Township Home

COAL TOWNSHIP — Two families are without a home this Labor Day after fire crews spent part of the day dousing intense flames in Northumberland County. ...

COAL TOWNSHIP --- Two families are without a home this Labor Day after fire crews spent part of the day dousing intense flames in Northumberland County.

"The flames were shooting busting windows out. You couldn't get near it," said Jeff Pachocha.

Shamokin Fire Bureau's Assistant Chief snapped a picture of a double block home before flames completely gutted the house in Coal Township.

"It's collapsing there, and it's also collapsing in the back if you can see that," said Deputy Chief Kevin Malukas.

Fire fighters battling this blaze say the fire affected one of their own. Their fellow firefighter lived here with his family. Now all nine people are without a home.

"I was surprised about the quick response being that it is Labor Day. I thought everybody would be at picnics and all," said Pacocha.

Plumes of smoke traveled miles, drawing a crowd of people on this Labor Day. People stopped to watch firefighters douse the flames. Jeff Pacocha watched from his home. He was there with neighbors when they called 911.

"The place was fully engulfed and I tried to take some propane tanks off the porch. We couldn't get near the place," said Pacocha.

Flames from the fire were so intense it burned hoses, lights and padding on this fire truck. The fire department says it will cost thousands to replace.

Heat from the intense flames melted siding off homes across the street and on Harry Wheary's house next door.

"I am pretty disgusted at what happened to my house. My house here, what can I say,” said Harry Wheary.

Wheary says he was out enjoying his labor day before he found out about the fire.

“I was down at the river working on my pontoon boat, working on my jet ski when I got a call that the house was on fire. Here it was my neighbor’s house," said Wheary.

Officials say the family's black lab was lost in the fire.  A state police fire marshal is still investigating the cause of the fire in Coal Township.

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