A fire destroyed a couple's home in Northumberland County
Smoke billowed from the home on Upper Road near Shamokin.
Fire investigators said the blaze started around 11:30 a.m. Friday. Crews from ten fire companies help fight the three-alarm fire. The East Cameron Township fire chief said the flames may have started in the basement.
"We had fire coming out of the basement and first floor of the structure and at that time the whole building just took off," said Fire Chief James Reed.
Fietta Schlemmer and her husband lived in the house and were inside the home when the fire started. "When I seen it was coming up pretty fast I said we got to get out of here," said Schlemmer. She said she saw smoke coming out of the heating system so she got her husband and ran out of the house. Schlemmer and her husband went to a neighbor's house and called for help.
"I lost Christmas presents which I had bought over the year trying to pick up stuff as I needed it. I'm assuming everything is gone," added Schlemmer.
Fire investigators said the house is destroyed. The Schlemmers left with just the clothes on their backs and their pet dog. The family's cat and bird did not survive.
"I tried to get back in but the smoke was just too thick. When I come out I could feel the smoke in my chest," said Schlemmer.
Smoke billowed from the home on Upper Road near Shamokin.
Fire investigators said the blaze started around 11:30 a.m. Friday. Crews from ten fire companies help fight the three-alarm fire. The East Cameron Township fire chief said the flames may have started in the basement.
"We had fire coming out of the basement and first floor of the structure and at that time the whole building just took off," said Fire Chief James Reed.
Fietta Schlemmer and her husband lived in the house and were inside the home when the fire started. "When I seen it was coming up pretty fast I said we got to get out of here," said Schlemmer. She said she saw smoke coming out of the heating system so she got her husband and ran out of the house. Schlemmer and her husband went to a neighbor's house and called for help.
"I lost Christmas presents which I had bought over the year trying to pick up stuff as I needed it. I'm assuming everything is gone," added Schlemmer.
Fire investigators said the house is destroyed. The Schlemmers left with just the clothes on their backs and their pet dog. The family's cat and bird did not survive.
"I tried to get back in but the smoke was just too thick. When I come out I could feel the smoke in my chest," said Schlemmer.
