Two Perish In Chatham Township House Fire
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Fatal House Fire Claims 2 Lives
FNN Article © Monday, September 25, 2023.
WESTFIELD, PA – An early Sunday morning house fire is believed to have claimed the lives of a couple on September 24, 2023, in Chatham Township.
The two story home was already engulfed in flames when the Toga County 911 Center received a call from a neighbor about the fire and possible entrapment at the home on Mosher Road shortly after 3:00 AM.
Fire crews from Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Company, Middlebury Township Volunteer Fire Department, and Clymer Township Volunteer Hose Company and a Fire Coordinator were the fire units to respond to the house the fire.
Chatham fire personnel were first to arrive at the home around 3:17 AM and confirmed that the structure was fully involved. Tri-County Rural Electric was requested to turn power off on Mosher Road. Later UGI was contacted to respond and a request was made for the Fire Marshal to respond.
By 3:24 AM a second alarm was called for and fire units from Wellsboro Fire Department, Crary Hose Company from Westfield, Tioga Fire Department, as well as A RIT Team from Elkland and the Rehab unit from Blossburg Fire Department were requested for mutual aid.
Firefighters had to do an exterior attack on the blaze, as the 123-year-old house was fully involved in flames.
Westfield firefighters set up a water supply so tankers could be refilled as fire crews worked hard to bring the fire under control.
The fire was reported under control around 3:50 AM.
It was said that two Fire Marshals arrived at the house fire around 5:30 AM.
An excavator was brought in from Owlett’s Logging and Firewood to assist fire crews at the scene.
By 9:07 AM the fire was reported out, however, firefighters were still taking care of putting out hot spots
The coroner arrived at the scene of the fire as it was confirmed that two individuals had perished in the devastating fire. (It was indicated to FNN that the couple who owned the home were the ones that passed away). The home which was a total loss was owned by Leland and Laura Rouse.
Firefighters were on scene for over 6 hours. All remaining fire units were cleared from the fire location shortly after 10:00 AM.
A cause of the fire has not been provided and with the extreme damage done, the cause may not be able to be determined.
A number of other fire departments were on standby at other stations. Mansfield Hose Company covered Middlebury, Lawrenceville covered for Tioga and Galeton was requested to standby for Wellsboro. Woodhull was also on standby but unsure which department they covered for.
FNN staff extends our condolences to the Rouse family.
UPDATE: Funeral Services Announced: