The fire at the farmhouse was determined to be an accident, "caused by the improper ventilation of a wood stove," according to Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Pat McKenna.
McKenna said combustible material, lying inside a vent pipe, ignited, starting the fire that damaged the farmhouse's exterior and roof.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, which caused about $20,000 in damage. Bob Yonas, a fire chief from Maryland, suffered a broken leg while helping put out the fire.
McKenna said the home is owned by Maria Bell, 89, of Middle River, Md. Dan Davis, 61, was renting the farmhouse at the time, McKenna said.
Eureka Fire Chief Ira Walker said this morning that the road leading to a home on fire in Hopewell Township on Monday night was "nothing more than a cow path."
But despite it being the most inaccessible home Walker has seen in his 28 years in the fire service, firefighters managed to get to it and save it from destruction, he said.
. Walker said he does not believe the fire is suspicious; however, he and a Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal will investigate the cause today.
The call to the two-story farmhouse at 1129 Woolen Mill Road came in around 7 p.m., and once firefighters arrived, they found the roof of the house had partially collapsed, he said. Originally, a neighbor had spotted the fire.
But before they could get to it -- they had to access the 1,500-foot road in, Walker said.
Firefighter Bill Amberman Jr. was able to maneuver a fire truck to the house, stopping once so that other fireifghters could use a saw to cut a branch out of the way.
In addition, the narrow road leading up to the house and the icy conditions made it possible for only a single fire truck to battle the blaze, Walker said.
"It was like a skating rink down there," he said.
The two people who rented the house were not at home at the time of the fire, but came home just before the fire was extinguished. Firefighters had already rescued a dog that was tied up outside, but the tenants told firefighters three cats were inside the home. The cats were located and survived the blaze, Walker said.
Within a hour of arriving at the scene, firefighters had control of the fire.
Because of firefighters' actions, the house was not a total loss, Walker said.
"They saved the house and some of their worldly possessions," he said.
Walker said that the two tenants were displaced by the fire. They were able to find a place to stay, Walker said.
During the fire, a a fire chief from Maryland suffered a broken leg and was taken to a hospital in Maryland, Walker said.
Walker added that the home is more than 100 years old and is owned by an elderly woman from Maryland.
McKenna said combustible material, lying inside a vent pipe, ignited, starting the fire that damaged the farmhouse's exterior and roof.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, which caused about $20,000 in damage. Bob Yonas, a fire chief from Maryland, suffered a broken leg while helping put out the fire.
McKenna said the home is owned by Maria Bell, 89, of Middle River, Md. Dan Davis, 61, was renting the farmhouse at the time, McKenna said.
Eureka Fire Chief Ira Walker said this morning that the road leading to a home on fire in Hopewell Township on Monday night was "nothing more than a cow path."
But despite it being the most inaccessible home Walker has seen in his 28 years in the fire service, firefighters managed to get to it and save it from destruction, he said.
. Walker said he does not believe the fire is suspicious; however, he and a Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal will investigate the cause today.
The call to the two-story farmhouse at 1129 Woolen Mill Road came in around 7 p.m., and once firefighters arrived, they found the roof of the house had partially collapsed, he said. Originally, a neighbor had spotted the fire.
But before they could get to it -- they had to access the 1,500-foot road in, Walker said.
Firefighter Bill Amberman Jr. was able to maneuver a fire truck to the house, stopping once so that other fireifghters could use a saw to cut a branch out of the way.
In addition, the narrow road leading up to the house and the icy conditions made it possible for only a single fire truck to battle the blaze, Walker said.
"It was like a skating rink down there," he said.
The two people who rented the house were not at home at the time of the fire, but came home just before the fire was extinguished. Firefighters had already rescued a dog that was tied up outside, but the tenants told firefighters three cats were inside the home. The cats were located and survived the blaze, Walker said.
Within a hour of arriving at the scene, firefighters had control of the fire.
Because of firefighters' actions, the house was not a total loss, Walker said.
"They saved the house and some of their worldly possessions," he said.
Walker said that the two tenants were displaced by the fire. They were able to find a place to stay, Walker said.
During the fire, a a fire chief from Maryland suffered a broken leg and was taken to a hospital in Maryland, Walker said.
Walker added that the home is more than 100 years old and is owned by an elderly woman from Maryland.
