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WILKES-BARRE — A wind-swept house fire in the North End section of the city displaced a family Tuesday afternoon after a leaf blower exploded and flames spread inside.

There were no injuries reported, but a pet cat is unaccounted for.

About an hour after flames were reported, firefighters were still at 441 N. Washington St. spraying down hot spots.

Wilkes-Barre Fire Department Chief Jay Delaney said a call came in to emergency responders at 1:04 p.m., and city firefighters arrived at 1:09 to find the home on fire. The blaze started on the exterior of the house and worked its way inside, causing damage to the first and second floors.

Delaney said two adults and four animals were inside, and the adults and two dogs and a cat out got out safely. The whereabouts of a second cat were not known. A child who lives in the home was at school during the blaze.

Firefighters were initially worried about damage to nearby homes, Delaney said, but only 441 N. Washington St. was affected.

No firefighters were hurt, but Delaney said battling the fire was difficult due to the heat of the day.

The home’s owner, Louis Honeywell, 50, explained the blaze started while he was working on a malfunctioning leaf blower.

Honeywell said his leaf blower wouldn’t start. He tried taking out the spark plug and replacing it, but the blower caught on fire when he pulled the starter cord.

“I put it down and ran inside to tell my wife to call 911,” he said. “I came back out to spray (the leaf blower) with a garden hose and it exploded.”

Honeywell said the fire quickly spread up the side of the house.

Delaney said the American Red Cross was assisting Honeywell and his family, providing temporary lodging for them at a local hotel.

This house at 441 N. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, was damaged Tuesday after a leaf blower exploded and flames spread inside the residence.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_house-fire-3.jpg.optimal.jpgThis house at 441 N. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, was damaged Tuesday after a leaf blower exploded and flames spread inside the residence.

Wilkes-Barre firefighters, rescuers, public works employees and utility workers are shown at the scene of Tuesday’s fire at 441 N. Washington St. in Wilkes-Barre.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_fire-2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgWilkes-Barre firefighters, rescuers, public works employees and utility workers are shown at the scene of Tuesday’s fire at 441 N. Washington St. in Wilkes-Barre.

By Patrick Kernan

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Reach Patrick Kernan at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @PatKernan