Couple flees fire at East Lackawannock home

MERCER, Pa. -- Fire of undetermined origin routed an East Lackawannock Township couple from their home early today.
James Minner, Mercer East End fire chief, said Myrene Filer was asleep and her husband, Gary, was watching television around 12:45 a.m. when the lights began to flicker.
Filer then smelled smoke and went to alert his wife, Minner said.
Phone dead: They tried to use their telephone to call for help, but the telephone line had already been destroyed by the fire., which had started in the basement garage of their rented one-story, ranch-style home at 345 Old Sharon Road, Minner said.
The couple ran next door to a neighbor's home to call 911. They were unable to rescue their pets, a dog and between 12 and 15 cats, Minner said.
A car was in the garage, but Minner said he doesn't think the fire started in the car. It appeared to be an electrical fire, he said.
No damage estimate was available.
Fire spread: Minner said the one end of the house was engulfed when firefighters arrived. The fire gutted the basement and the living room above it before firefighters were able to extinguish it, he said.
There were no injuries. Firefighters from Hermitage, Clark and Jefferson Township assisted.
Minner said the Filers are staying with nearby relatives.