Alpha fire chief, homeowner detail 2nd-alarm fire

A family of four was temporarily displaced after a second-alarm fire on Saturday.

The fire began at about 4:20 a.m. at 364 Douglas Drive.

The person who called to report the fire said they heard two explosions, and Alpha Fire Company Chief Jason Troup also described hearing explosions when he arrived on the scene a few minutes after the first call.

Homeowner Nicole Snyder described hearing three consecutive loud bangs that woke her. Her husband looked outside and saw flames coming toward the house.

The Snyders, two people staying with them and their pets escaped the house without injury.

“I’m thankful we all got out,” Snyder said. “My children woke up fast, which was good. And I have to thank the firefighters. They were here really fast.”

The Carnegie Inn has provided the family with two hotel rooms. A GoFundMe has been set up for the family.

Firefighters from three fire companies were able to keep the blaze contained to the garage and two vehicles in the driveway. The garage was fully involved in flames when Troup arrived on the scene, and he credited the quick work of personnel who saved the rest of the house, which sustained smoke and water damage.

“I think the crews did an excellent job stopping the fire and containing it to the garage and keeping it from spreading through the rest of the house,” Troup said.

No firefighters were injured in the fire, according to Troup. A fire marshal will determine the cause of the fire.

Pleasant Gap and Boalsburg fire companies and Centre LifeLink EMS also responded to the scene.

This story was originally published February 3, 2018 at 8:11 AM with the headline "Alpha fire chief, homeowner detail 2nd-alarm fire."