LESLIE RICHARDSON
Republican Herald
Reprinted with Permission

GIRARDVILLE - Five homes along Main Street were destroyed Wednesday by a quick-moving fire sparked by Duraflame logs in a wood burner.


Girardville Fire Chief Frank Zangari said the resident of 112 W. Main St. placed the logs into a burner in the basement of the home, igniting the fire.

"The young lady said she shoved them in and filled it tight," Zangari said. "When I went through the house, my boots stuck to the floor, that's how hot is was."

Firefighters were called to 112 W. Main St. about 6 p.m. for smoke in the basement, but when fire crews arrived minutes later, the smoke was already coming through the roof, Girardville Patrolman Tom Weaver said.

Dave Kufro, a neighbor who lives across the street, said he heard the fire call and ran across the street to help.

"The lady who lives there came running out of the house coughing and said her basement was on fire. I went inside and the floor in the middle room was red hot," Kufro said.

"I started banging on doors to get the other people in the neighborhood out. I know how quickly these things can burn with the houses so close together."

According to Duraflame's website, the logs can be used in metal and open-hearth fireplaces, but should not be used in wood stoves.

Zangari said properties at 116, 114, 112, 110 and 108 W. Main St. were destroyed in the blaze, and 116 collapsed about two hours after the fire started.

He said two firefighters were trapped at one point in 112 W. Main.

"The Rapid Intervention Team was engaged and the firefighters were rescued. They were checked out by EMS and returned to fight the fire," Zangari said.

He said everyone who was in the homes at the time of the fire got out safely, but he didn't know Wednesday night how many people were displaced by the fire, although he did say 110 W. Main St. was unoccupied.

"That is something we have to confirm when we can investigate," Zangari said.

Zangari also had no estimate of damages Wednesday night, but firefighters from Girardville, Ashland, Altamont, Shenandoah and Mahanoy Plane continued to battle flames for hours.

"The firefighters did a great job and those initial two guys, I don't know who they were, who helped us getting everyone out did a great job. I want to thank them," Zangari said.

Bob Gilligbauer, Shamokin, owns the property at 106 W. Main St. and uses it for storage. The brick building sustained smoke and water damage.

"I'm worried my roof is going to catch on fire," he said. "I heard they have no water pressure. I came right up with a key when I heard about the fire."

Zangari said fire crews did deal with water problems but he did not elaborate Wednesday night.

A former bank building, now the regional office of Girard Estates, is on the right side of Gilligbauer's building.

On the left of 116 W. Main is an empty lot. Across the lot, siding was melted on the building at 120 W. Main St.

Zangari said a complete investigation will be done when the fire is under control and it is safe for investigators.

"This was big. These were five four-story homes on the main street," Zangari said. "But I've been doing this for 28 years, I've seen lots of big fires."

A portion of Main Street was closed to traffic Wednesday to allow fire crews to battle the blaze.