UPDATE: Morning fire in Mahanoy City ruled accidental from unattended cooking

Jun. 15—MAHANOY CITY — A fire that destroyed one home and severely damaged another Thursday morning has been ruled accidental, caused by unattended cooking.

Four people managed to escape the flames in the 1200 block of East Market Street, but several pets perished in one of the homes, Mahanoy City Fire Chief Dan Markiewicz said.

As flames consumed the buildings, the occupants stood across the street watching in disbelief.

Dennis Murphy, who lived at 1222 E. Market St. next door to where the fire started, said he and Edward Heizman were asleep when he smelled something burning.

"I came down the stairs and couldn't see anything, so we got out as soon as we could," he said.

The men managed to get their dog out of their home.

The home, however, appears to be a total loss.

"We lost everything," Murphy said. "I got insurance, but it didn't kick in yet; everything is gone."

Animals inside the home of Bertha Wargo and her son, Richard, at 1220 E. Market St., where the fire started, were not so fortunate.

Markiewicz said "multiple" pets, including cats and turtles, could not be rescued.

Bertha Wargo stood across the street until neighbors brought her a chair.

Visibly shaken while watching her home being destroyed by flames, she was consoled by Mahanoy City police Cpl. Charles Kovalewski until personnel from the American Red Cross Tri-County Chapter arrived.

Asked by Kovalewski if she needed anything, Bertha Wargo said, "I'm OK; I'm just very upset."

Markiewicz said state police fire marshal Trooper Joseph Hall of the Frackville station interviewed occupants and determined the cause was unattended cooking.

The chief said firefighters were called just after 8 a.m. after several calls were received by the Schuylkill County 911 Center about a possible kitchen fire.

Arriving before any fire apparatus, Markiewicz said flames were blowing out the front first-floor windows at 1220 and spreading to the front porch roof at 1222 E. Market.

He said borough firefighters made "an aggressive attack," hitting the flames from all sides. The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes.

"It was a fantastic job," Markiewicz said. "Considering the time of day, everyone worked together and got the job done."

The chief said the fire spread quickly from the kitchen through the first floor, out the front windows and to the upper floors.

He said he called a second alarm due to the limited amount of manpower common with volunteer fire departments during the daytime hours.

Firefighters from surrounding communities responded to assist, while Shenandoah firefighters stood by in a Mahanoy City fire station in the event of other calls.

One firefighter suffered a hand laceration and received treatment at the scene by Mahanoy City EMS, according to the chief. Ryan Twp. EMS also responded and set up a rehabilitation station providing firefighters with drinks.

Patty Daley, disaster captain with the Red Cross, said her organization will be assisting the four displaced with lodging, clothing and food.