Adams Area Fire Chief Bill Hayes said there was heavy fire when crews arrived to battle a blaze at a Lakeland Drive home in Adams Township New Year’s Day—but new video shows it looked more like an inferno.
Footage from a helmet camera on a firefighter arriving on the first engine from Adams Area Fire District shows flames raging in the garage area.
“When we got here, it was going pretty good and it extended into the bedroom above it,” Hayes said Tuesday.
The Lakeland Drive homeowners, and their pets, escaped from the home unharmed.
Hayes estimated damage to the home at between $1 to $1.2 million once the contents are taken into account. The garage was heavily damaged by fire and Hayes said there is smoke and water damage throughout the home. The second floor of the house also partially collapsed.
Three cars that were in the garage—Honda Odyssey, a BMW 535 and an Acura NSXS—also were destroyed, Hayes said.
The homeowners, who a neighbor identified as Bill and Susan Yanakos, are staying with friends in the area, Hayes said. The Red Cross also has been notified of the situation.
The chief said the fire appears accidental. The fire marshal will not conduct a criminal investigation, he said.
"Nothing is suspicious," Hayes said. "In my report it’s listed as accidental."
Volunteers from the Cranberry, Wexford, Harmony and Callery departments assisted Adams Area at the fire.
To see how the blaze looked when firefighters arrived on the scene, click the above video.
