Seven Armstrong County fire companies fought a kitchen fire in West Kittanning yesterday morning. No persons were inside during the fire, although a cat had smoke inhalation and had to be resuscitated.
by Jonathan Weaver
A family pet was brought back to life yesterday after enduring a structure fire in West Kittanning that left severe damage to the home.
The fire began before 9AM in West Kittanning Borough at 115 Lincoln St. No persons were home at the time of the fire.
The structure is home to the King family – Coni, Jess and Travis – who will be receiving assistance from the American Red Cross today. Travis is reportedly a local firefighter.
A total of seven fire crews, including West Kittanning, Kittanning #1, #4 and #6, Rayburn Township, East Franklin and Applewold, battled the blaze for about an hour-and-a-half. Kittanning Hose Co. #6 emergency medical personnel also responded to the scene.
West Kittanning Fire Chief Bernie Bowser, Sr. pinpointed where the fire began and indicated severe damage.
19-year-old Larissa Crownover of West Kittanning was very happy to see 10-month-old cat "Baby Girl" survive the fire after firefighters first thought the feline was deceased. Ambulance crews from Hose Company #6 used oxygen mask to revive the kitty.
“The fire showed evidence that it originated in the kitchen – major fire damage was in the kitchen. Extensive heat damage was experienced in the rest of the first-floor area and smoke damage to the second floor,” Bowser, Sr. said.
Jess had lived in the residence for 15 years before yesterday’s blaze and determined the cause.
“I guess the coffee pot caught the house on fire,” Jess said.
The coffeepot was reportedly not used Wednesday morning by any of the family members, but is always plugged in.
East Franklin Fire Chief Mark Feeney evaluated remnants of the fire.
“What happened was the coffeepot or something malfunctioned, went up the ceiling and burned a plastic water line off, which held it at bay a little bit – that’s why it came this way but didn’t keep going throughout the house,” Feeney said. “When the wall blisters like this, the temperature down here was like 2,500 degrees – very, very hot.”
Feeney estimated how long flames were burning before fire crews arrived.
“By the time we got the call, got in and got water on it, it probably burned until they seen it because the neighbors called the person first and then came up with a key,” Feeney said. “I’d say it probably had about 15 minutes of free burning – at least.”
Mobile fans were used by firefighters to alleviate swelling in the wood floors.
Bowser, Sr. said the blaze was extreme.
“We had a hell-of-a-worker here initially,” Bowser, Sr. said. “Now, we’re just trying to do some salvage work and get some of this stuff out of the building.”
Applewold, East Franklin and Kittanning Hose Co. #1 crews later returned to help salvage furniture.
Justin Snow, who lives next door at 119 Lincoln St., heard about the fire from his mother.
“I was at work and my mom called me and said his house was on fire, so she called 9-1-1,” Snow said.
The mother, who wished to remain anonymous, recapped her strategy.
“I just came home from work and I smelled smoke – I was putting my garbage cans on the side and I saw something and heard the smoke detector going off inside, so I went and pounded on the door because I was afraid one of the boys was in there and nobody answered, so I called (the grandmother) and 9-1-1,” the neighbor said.
While firefighters worked on extinguishing the blaze, they found 10-month-old feline “Baby Girl” on the first floor and quickly took her outside. Thought to be deceased, the cat was found to be still breathing and resuscitated by Kittanning Hose Co. #6 emergency medical responders.
19-year-old Larissa Crownover – Jess’ girlfriend – was in tears when she thought the cat was dead and was shocked she was revived.
“I thought she died, but I guess they put an oxygen mask on it and now it’s alive,” Crownover said. “I was so excited – I’m so happy.”
The cat was taken to R.L. Lash Veterinary Associates for evaluation following the blaze and was released into Crownover’s custody later that morning. “Baby Girl” was treated with oxygen, antibiotics and a steroid shot.
She will have to be monitored during the next few days.
Worthington-West Franklin firefighters were on standby during the fire.
Pine Hill Road was blocked off during the incident.
A coffeepot was determined to be the cause of the kitchen fire, with temperatures inside reaching an estimated 2,500 degrees.
Kittanning Borough, Local News, West Kittanning Borough | KP NewsDesk August 15, 2011 | 
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