Published: February 05, 2009 11:10 pm      

Smoke detector alerts Hyndman couple to house fire

Homeowners escape with dogs

HYNDMAN, Pa. — Harry Shaffer and his wife, Deborah, escaped injury when fire of an undetermined nature extensively damaged their Cleveland Street residence early Thursday.

“We were sleeping when the smoke detectors went off. We got our pets and got out,” said Shaffer several hours after the 2:30 a.m. incident.

Shaffer said he and his wife are staying in town with their daughter in the aftermath of the fire.

The family has resided in the Cleveland Street home since 1992. The property is insured.

Although he did not have an estimate of damage to the two-story frame home and its contents, Shaffer believes his residence “was a total loss.”

Eddie Kennell, who resides next door to the Shaffers, said he looked from a window of his residence to see his neighbors leaving their home.

“They both came out of the house carrying their dogs,” said Kennell.

At about 3:30 p.m., Shaffer was back at the residence assessing the damage. “I don’t know what to think,” he said in a telephone conversation.

Units were alerted following a 911 call to the Bedford County Control emergency center at 2:29 a.m., prompting dispatch of Hyndman, Schellsburg and New Baltimore fire companies to the scene.

Ellerslie and LaVale volunteer fire companies provided assistance for more than two hours following alert by the Allegany County 911 Joint Communications Division.

Anyone wishing to offer assistance to the family may call (814) 842-6323.

Contact Jeffrey Alderton at jlalderton@times-news.com.