None Injured in Morning Electrical Fire

By Jonathan Weaver

A Rayburn Township couple awoke to a frightening screech of a smoke alarm earlier this morning.

At 3:40AM, Rayburn Township, Pine-Templeton and Kittanning #6 firefighters were dispatched by Armstrong 9-1-1 to a reported structure fire at 102 Painter Road in Rayburn Township due to an inside heater.

Crews were en route within five minutes.

Rayburn Township Fire Chief Henry Bellas said the residence, located at the intersection with Sloan Hill Road (near the Sloan Hill Church), instead had an electrical problem in an outlet that caused the smoke.

Owners Ed and Marcia Shubert, along with some pet cats, escaped without injury. Ed reportedly was attempting to extinguish the fire at the time of the emergency call.

Rayburn Township Second Assistant Chief Todd Ortman said the fire was contained to one outlet and only caused damage to one wall inside the structure.

A Rayburn Township fire official slowed other fire responders about 4AM after finding the cause.

Fire crews utilized an exhaust fan at the door, and left the scene without any injuries or further danger about 4:15AM.

Kittanning #6 Ambulance emergency responders were initially also dispatched, but where called off from the incident.

The Pine Township-Templeton tanker truck was also waived from the scene before other crews after the scene was secure.