The cause of a fire that damaged a home in Middletown Tuesday afternoon remains under investigation.
Crews already on the road while returning from another call and were able to quickly get to a basement fire in the 500 block of Deer Drive in the Parkland section of the township around 4:40 p.m., officials said.
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Fire Marshal Jim McGuire said flames under floor boards caused crews to evacuate the building and use a defensive attack shortly after they arrived. A short time later, the blazed was placed under control.
“Basement fires are some of the most dangerous out there because the fire is below you,” Parkland Fire Company Chief Bob Barnes said. He added the right call for firefighter safety was made.
A resident of the home called 9-1-1 to report a heater problem before the fire. However, McGuire said he could not yet rule a cause of point of origin because the condition of the home.
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The flames were mainly contained to the basement but there was some extension in the walls of the first floor, the fire marshal said.
“The fire crews did a phenomenal job,” McGuire said.
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No injuries were reported.
The American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania said they were assisting two residents following the fire.
Crews from Penndel, Langhorne-Middletown and William Penn fire companies assisted Parkland Fire Company crews at the scene. The Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad and Middletown police also responded.
