The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

August 14, 2012

1 hurt battling blaze at store owners’ home

By Monica Pryts Allied News Staff Writer

PINE TOWNSHIP — A firefighter was hurt battling a blaze Monday afternoon at a Pine Township home that was heavily damaged by a fire that started in the attached garage.

The fire at the home of Joe and Debbie Murawski, 772 Enterprise Road, was called in by a neighbor at about 3 p.m., said Christopher Holmes, chief of Pine Township Engine Co., adding no one was home at the time.

Murawski, who with his wife owns Joden World Resources, a jewelry store in downtown Grove City, declined comment Monday while he paced his front yard, surveying the damage of his story-and-a-half home.

A lieutenant with Pine Township dislocated a shoulder while running a hose through one of the upper level bedrooms, where the ceiling and roof fell on him, said Holmes, who wouldn’t name the firefighter.

“They got him out right away,” he said of the other firefighters.

He was treated at Grove City Medical Center, Pine Township, and will be on light duty for a few weeks, he said.

A state police fire marshal from Butler is investigating the cause of the fire, which Holmes said is believed to have been started by a remote control car battery that was charging in the garage.

There were no vehicles or anything of significant value in the garage, which could hold four vehicles, he said.

“The garage is a total loss,” Holmes said, adding a propane tank in the garage exploded during the fire.

The fire spread to the living room and the rest of the house has smoke and water damage, but it can be repaired, he said.

The Murawskis have insurance and Holmes estimates the damage value at about $80,000 to $100,000.

They declined help from the American Red Cross and are staying with local relatives, Holmes said.

Twelve departments assisted and the scene was cleared at about 7:30 p.m.

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