STEVE SNYDER
The Lebanon Daily News

A family of five jumped out of a second-story window to escape an early morning fire Tuesday at their East Hanover Township home.


Leonard and Kathy Messner own the home, Ono Fire Chief Matt Hetrick said. Kathy was transported to Hershey Medical Center, where she was in good condition, a hospital spokeswoman said. Two other family members were also taken to HMC, but their conditions could not be determined because their names were not released. Hetrick said the injuries occurred when the family jumped from the window, and none of the injuries appeared to be serious.

The five Messner family members and the occupant of an attached apartment were displaced and were being helped by the Lebanon Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Firefighters were dispatched at 4:27 a.m. and arrived to find a working fire on the first floor of the two-story, wooden frame home at 10670 Jonestown Road, Hetrick said.

"The fire was right inside the front door," Hetrick said. "It took about 10 to 15 minutes to get it under control. Jonestown engine did a search and made sure everyone was out. It was a good, quick knockdown -- an aggressive attack."

Even at that early hour, firefighters were dealing with unusual heat.

"The guys took a beating," Hetrick said.

No firefighters were injured.

Hetrick estimated damage at $85,000 to the $140,000 single-family home, which has an attached apartment.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

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July 6, 2010