2 people displaced after fire significantly damages Rush Township home

Fire companies from Centre and Clearfield counties were on the scene of a second-alarm building fire in Rush Township Friday morning.

The Philipsburg Fire Company was called to the 200 block of One Mile Run Road just before 9 a.m. Friday. Crews found a working fire in the two-story single family dwelling, according to a Facebook post. The fire was upgraded to second alarm and crews from Centre and Clearfield counties were dispatched.

According to Philipsburg Fire Company chief John Huber, there was one resident inside the building when the fire broke out, but they were able to get out safely. With significant damage throughout the structure, two residents are displaced as a result of the blaze.

When the fire companies arrived at the scene there was a strong blaze in the back of the house, working its way to the front, Huber said.

The crews first attempted to combat the fire by entering the front of the house, but by that time the flames had gotten too heavy. Instead, the crews had to douse the fire from the outside in, using two tower trucks from the Philipsburg and Columbia fire companies and an array firefighters with hoses surrounding the house.

In addition to the Philipsburg Fire Department, other emergency responders on the scene included Columbia, Winburne, Houtzdale, Morris Township, Mountain Top, Curwensville, BJW and Sandy Ridge fire companies, along with Moshannon Valley EMS.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

This story was originally published March 22, 2024 at 10:06 AM.