State fire marshal to probe blast, blaze in Vernon

Staff report

VERNON

The cause of an explosion and fire in a house at 7991 Rutledge-Transfer Road remains under investigation, the Burghill-Vernon Fire Department said Sunday.

Fire Capt. Larry Foltz said the state fire marshal’s office will be on the scene Tuesday to probe the blaze that erupted at 5:50 p.m. Saturday in the single-family home in the southeast corner of Vernon Township, about a half mile from the Pennsylvania line.

The northwest corner of the house was blown out, but two propane tanks by the garage did not explode, Foltz said. No people were home at the time of the blaze, and there were no injuries to humans, Foltz said.

However, firefighters rescued three dogs from the home and administered oxygen to one of them. A cat died in the fire. Firefighters fought flames in the basement, kitchen wall and attic.

Firefighters had to shuttle water to the scene in tanker trucks because of the absence of hydrants in the area.

Burghill-Vernon firefighters were assisted by their colleagues from the Johnston, Kinsman, Fowler, Hartford, Brookfield, Orangeville, West Salem and South Pymatuning fire departments.