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HAZLE TWP. — No one was hurt in a house fire on Route 940 on Wednesday afternoon, but the residence sustained extensive damage, officials say.
The blaze was reported just before 2:30 p.m. at the residence near the village of Drifton and Freeland Borough.
There was at least one person at the property when flames broke out, according to Hazle Township Assistant Chief Jason Zoshak.
Once the fire was contained, firefighters rescued two dogs.
“We didn’t rescue anyone from the home other than the dogs,” said Zoshak. “They were hiding.”
Zoshak said the cause was unknown, and a state police fire marshal would be visiting the scene Thursday to investigate.
Property records list the owners of 2075 Route 940 as Paul and Barbara Christina.
The home’s residents would be staying with family, according to Zoshak.
Online photos show gaping holes in the roof and heavy damage to the rear of the structure.
At least five windows, plus a large bay window, were smashed out. After the blaze was extinguished, firefighters were seen pulling their hoses out of the house and onto a second-floor deck.
The call drew a huge response, with at least nine fire trucks and multiple ambulances on scene. Volunteers also set up two portable ponds, or tanks, on Route 940. They were filled with water to help them fight the fire.
A section of the highway was closed for at least an hour-and-a-half.
At about 3:40 p.m., after some crews started packing up their gear, a few engines took off with sirens blaring for another call. At the Hazleton Apartments, which are in Hazle Township, there was a report of smoke coming from a laundry room.