Town and Country Newspaper

Local News Article

Fire Causes Severe Damage to Upper Frederick Home

Written by Larry Roeder, Editor
2013-03-13

Firefighters were called to an early morning fire on Wednesday that leveled part of a one-story home and destroyed four vehicles at 3338 Little Road in Upper Frederick Township.

Emergency dispatchers were called around 1:25 by callers reporting that the “house was engulfed in flames.” They also reported explosions coming from the building.

According to Montgomery County records, the property is owned by Sandra and Willard Benson. Both were reported out of the building when 911 dispatchers took the call.

Willard Benson reportedly had just come home from work and was in the kitchen eating when he heard a noise and the house started filling up with smoke.

Upper Frederick firefighters arrived on the scene and found the garage fully involved in flames that were starting to spread to the kitchen area of the house. Four vehicles, two parked in the garage and two just outside, were also burning upon firefighters arrival; including a classic Oldsmobile, parked inside the garage, that was undergoing restoration by the owner.

According to Upper Fred-erick Deputy Chief Doug Kenna, the volunteers quickly attacked the fire and kept it from spreading throughout the entire house. Kenna said that “the fire was stopped at the edge of the kitchen” and “the wind was in our favor” as it blew the flames back over the burned-out garage.

The fire was declared under control at 2:17 a.m. Firefighters remained on the scene for about three hours mopping up hot spots.

No injuries were reported and fire damage was contained to the vehicles, garage, kitchen and living room with other areas of the structure suffering smoke and water damage. No damage estimate was available but, standing at the home later in the morning, owner Willard Benson said he feared the home would be a “total loss.”

Firefighters used fire company tank trucks to haul water from a fill site near the Frederick Community at Heimbach Road and Big Road (Route 73) in Upper Frederick Township.

Kenna said the explosion heard by callers was probably caused by the gas tanks on the vehicles destroyed by the fire as well as a propane tank.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Pa. State Police Fire Marshal. Kenna said that it “does not appear to be suspicious.”

Fire police closed Little Road between Perkiomenville and Faust roads until around 5:30 a.m.

Assisting were units from Green Lane, Lower Frederick, New Hanover, Perkiomen, Sassamansville, Schwenksville, Skippack and Upper Salford fire companies. A fire police unit from Pennsburg Fire Company also assisted.

Emergency medical units from Green Lane and Lower Frederick ambulance associations also responded to the scene as well as a canteen unit from North Penn Goodwill.

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