Mercer officials consider legislation in wake of fire

staff report

MERCER, Pa. — This borough has no ordinance limiting the types of animals that can be housed in a human residence, but borough officials are considering enacting one after firefighters encountered a veritable menagerie during a recent house fire, the assistant fire chief said.

“It’s something we’ve never encountered before,” said Jesse Badger, East End assistant fire chief, estimating there were probably nearly 100 animals on the premises.

The assistant chief was referring to a 7 p.m. Thursday fire that destroyed a two-story, wooden-frame house at 229 E. Beaver St., which was occupied by Ralph Sykes, and his daughter, Bonnie.

The first and second floors were packed with hay, which fueled the blaze, Badger said.

No humans were present when the blaze erupted, but the animal occupants included cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, snakes, turtles, parrots, a goat and a pot- bellied pig.

Firefighters were able to rescue 75 percent of the animals, but all of the birds and some of the cats, ferrets, snakes and guinea pigs and the goat died.

The pig, which Badger said weighed 200 or more pounds, survived. Surviving animals were taken to the Mercer County Humane Society headquarters.

The state police fire marshal’s office was on the scene to investigate the blaze Saturday morning but still hasn’t determined the cause. “I lean towards electrical,” said Badger, who estimated loss at $60,000 for the house and its contents combined.

The fire originated on the first floor in the front of the single- family house, which Badger said would have to be demolished.

Some 50 firefighters converged on the scene from the East End, Grove City, Jackson Center and Jefferson, Springfield and Pine township fire departments. Grove City’s rescue squad also went to the scene.