Firefighters were called to a building fire at 2:27 Monday morning in the 100 block of Gravel Pike in Green Lane.

            The volunteers faced frigid conditions as they responded.

            The caller initially reported that their fireplace was on fire and emergency dispatchers advised the caller to evacuate the building.

            Green Lane Chief Ryan Crouthamel reported that, upon arrival, only embers from the chimney could be seen.  The homeowners were attempting to extinguish a fire in the kitchen with a moderate smoke condition in the home.  The homeowners were evacuated and it was reported that one of them was transported to a hospital by Harleysville Area Emergency Medical Services.

            According to Crouthamel, "The fire was contained to the large fireplace and items stored around it.  There was extension to the mantle and wooden areas around the fireplace but the wall construction in that area was stone and noncombustible."

            The fire was declared under control at 2:56 a.m.

            The 2-1/2 story, stone house was built around 1835 and was once the home of iron-master General William Schall.  According to Montgomery County Property Records the building is currently owned by Roberta and Salvatore Oddo.

            Firefighters used a 1-3/4" hose line to quickly extinguish the fire.   Fire damage was contained to the area of the fireplace but there was some damage from smoke throughout the house.

            No damage estimate was available. 

            Also responding to the scene were units from East Greenville, Pennsburg, Red Hill, Tylersport, Upper Frederick, and Upper Salford fire companies.

            Route 63 (Main St.) remained open during the event but Route 29 (Gravel Pike) was closed until shortly after 4 a.m.

            Due to freezing on the roads, PennDOT responded to treat the roadways.