A stubborn three-alarm fire heavily damaged an Eldred Township home Saturday evening.
At about 9:15 p.m. Eldred Township and Eldred Borough firefighters were called to Michael and Theresa Cramer’s Windfall Road for a kitchen fire. They say when they got there and saw the flames they called a second alarm and, soon afterward, a third.
They say despite heavy fire, dense smoke and punishing heat, they were able to knock down all fire on the first and second floors before a partial roof collapse forced them to evacuate.
A state police fire marshal says the blaze started with a faulty electrical outlet behind the dishwasher. The resulting electrical arcing ignited the combustible cabinets, and the fire spread to the surrounding cabinets and the ceiling.
Damage is estimated at $150,000.
Besides Eldred Township and Eldred Borough, fire departments from Port Allegany, Otto Township, Town of Olean, Portville, Smethport and Rew worked well into the night to put the fire out. Roulette Chemical Engine Company was on standby.
No injuries were reported.
Also Saturday night, Bradford firefighters were called to a garage fire at just before 9 o’clock, but the homeowner was able to put it out before they arrived.