WILLIAM PENN - The cause of a fire that destroyed an unoccupied double home in this West Mahanoy Township village early Monday remains under investigation.
The fire comes fewer than two days after flames damaged three homes on Brock Street in Ashland, a fire that is also under investigation.
Fire officials in both William Penn and Ashland said they plan to work with state police fire marshal Trooper John F. Burns of the Frackville station to find causes for their respective fires.
At 4:15 a.m. Monday, William Penn firefighters were called to the homes at 11-13 St. Paul St. owned by Michael Yahner to find heavy fire engulfing the properties.
William Penn Fire Company Chief Al Miscannon Jr. said intense fire was visible shooting from almost every window of the homes.
Knowing no one lived in the buildings and that most of the personal belongings had been removed, Miscannon said he made the decision not to send firefighters inside but instead battle the fire from a defensive mode.
"As soon as I got here, I knew it was too far gone to send anyone inside," Miscannon said.
Crews from William Penn, Altamont, Shenandoah Heights and Shenandoah battled the fire for about 1 1/2 hours before bringing it under control.
William Penn firefighters remained on the scene until about 10 a.m. to make sure the blaze was completely extinguished. Firefighters were called back about 2:30 p.m. when a small fire rekindled at the site.
"It was a little stubborn," Miscannon said of the fire. He also said that the location of the house, at the end of a small dirt driveway, made it difficult to get fire apparatus close.
Miscannon said Monday afternoon that he expects to work with Burns and find out exactly how the fire started.
PPL crews arrived after daylight to cut electrical power to the buildings.
In Ashland, Fire Chief Phil Groody said flames began to the rear of a home at 926 Brock St., sending firefighters to the scene about 10:45 p.m. Saturday.
Groody said he also expects to go over the scene with Burns to try and find out how the fire started.
Four members of the Harold Menne family living in the adjacent home at 930 Brock St. escaped without injury and were allowed to return Sunday.
Groody said the fire was contained to the home at 926 Brock St. with only some smoke damage to 930 Brock St.
No injuries were reported and firefighters from Ashland and surrounding communities managed to quickly bring the fire under control, Groody said.