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East Franklin Garage Destroyed by Fire

The grass around the garage was burned as a fire destroyed the structure at 745 Butler Road across from the West Hills schools. The houses on each side of the garage sustained minor damage due to the heat of the flames.

by David Croyle

An East Franklin resident lost his garage and contents after the structure caught fire Wednesday afternoon.

Emergency Dispatch 9-1-1 received the initial call at 1PM to the residence at 745 Butler Road.

Scott Leard, who lives in the white house near the garage, had just finished mowing his lawn and put his riding mower in the garage. A short time later, he noticed heavy smoke coming from the garage. He sustained minor injury to his arm when he attempted to open the door to the garage.

Leard was watching from his front steps as he described the event.

“I cut the grass and I put the lawn mower away. I looked out and there was smoke coming out of the garage. By the time I got out there, it was too late.”

The structure was a total loss, but fire crews from area companies were able to save his house and the neighboring home, although both sustained minor heat damage.

Fire departments were dispatched from East Franklin, Applewold, Kittanning #1, Worthington, , and Kittanning Hose Company #4. Both West Kittanning and Washington Township were placed on stand-by during the crisis.

East Franklin and West Kittanning Police in addition to Kittanning Hose Co #6 Ambulance were both on scene to give assistance.

Fire fighters were on the scene into the mid afternoon.

Damage estimates were not available at the time of publication.

The property is owned by Ron Leard, Scott’s father.