Firefighter injured, pets lost after early Saturday morning fire in Philipsburg

A firefighter was injured and family pets were lost early Saturday morning during a fire in a Philipsburg home.

According to a Facebook post from Hope Fire Company, the Philipsburg Fire Department and fire companies from across the area were dispatched to the 100 block of North 9th Street at 2:10 a.m. for reports of a fully involved building fire. Crews found a working fire in the rear portion of the brick building.

Nobody was home at the time of the fire, Hope Fire Company said.

Firefighters operated inside the building until the second floor began to give way, and all personnel were evacuated. A defensive operation commenced, Hope Fire Company said, and crews worked for several hours at the scene.

One firefighter was transported by ambulance to Mount Nittany Medical Center for injuries suffered as result of a fall, the post said. Family pets were also lost in the blaze.

Mountain Top Fire Company of Sandy Ridge, Chester Hill Hose Company, Morris Township Fire Company and Columbia Fire Company of Osceola Mills responded, along with Moshannon Valley EMS. Clearfield Fire Company helped clean up from the scene.

The Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire, according to Hope Fire Company.